GLADSTONE's
HIROSHIMA GINKGO PEACE TREE

Gladstone is the lucky recipient of an authentic Hiroshima Ginkgo Peace Tree – grown from a seed that was collected from trees that miraculously recovered from the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan during WWII.

The tree is located in the meadow near the park entrance and the Mayor’s tree. It will be dedicated in a special ceremony in Fall 2020. August 6, 2020, marks the end of World War II and 75 years of peace with Japan. The Hiroshima Ginkgo Peace Tree is a reminder and wish for a world of peace.

At least 53 trees and cycads are documented as having survived the bombing of Hiroshima. They include cherry, pine, juniper, zelkova, camphor, holly, willow, persimmon and ginkgo trees. These survivors are called "hibakujumoku" in Japanese, or Hiroshima Peace Trees in English. In 2011, Japan’s Green Legacy Hiroshima project began collecting seeds from these survivor trees and sending them throughout the world as symbols of peace. The One Sunny Day Initiative, based in Medford, Oregon, obtained the ginkgo hibakujumoku seeds from the Green Legacy Hiroshima project in 2017. One Sunny Day Initiative made several of the resulting seedlings available to the Oregon Department of Forestry to distribute to a selection of cities and schools across Oregon.

Ginkgos are “dioecious” (die-oh-EE-shuss). This means that there are male trees with pollen-producing male flowers, and female trees, with receptive female flowers that can produce a fleshy yellow fruit. The fruit of the female ginkgo can be very smelly – politely described as something “very rancid.” However, the seed inside the fruit is prized by many people and collected and consumed as a dietary enhancement.

Seedlings grown from trees that survived the atomic bombing are a living link to those historic times. Planting these trees is a fitting way for Oregon communities to mark this important anniversary, honoring the sacrifices of those who fought and died in the war, as well as the millions of civilians across the globe who were injured or killed. These Hiroshima seedlings also call to our attention that we all live in a world where nuclear weapons are a reality. They remind present and future generations of the importance of preserving peace.

Be sure to check back again for information on our dedication ceremony to be held at a future date, or contact the FriendsOfGladstoneNature@gmail.com to be added to our mailing list.