Saplings of Hiroshima survivor trees take root in Japanese Tea Garden

Two saplings, descendants of ginkgo biloba trees that survived the 1945 nuclear blast over Hiroshima, were planted Friday at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park.

The original version of this story misspelled Hiroshima in the headline. SFBay regrets the error.

The trees were planted during a ceremony that also honored former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz and Dame Charlotte Malliard Shultz for their advocacy around nuclear disarmament.

The ginkgos, also known as maidenhair trees, that were planted Friday are second-generation descendants from ginkgo trees that were charred but survived the atom bomb explosion on Hiroshima.

They are among seeds and saplings from the A-bombed trees now growing in more than 20 countries as part of the effort for a nuclear-free planet.

San Francisco Recreation and Park Department Two saplings descended from ginkgo biloba trees that survived the 1945 nuclear blast in Hiroshima were planted in the Japanese Tea Gardens at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif. Friday, September 20, 2019.

Mayor London Breed said:

“For generations to come, San Francisco residents and visitors will be able to visit these trees in the Japanese Tea Garden and reflect on the importance of a nuclear-free future.” 

United Religions Initiative, a global grassroots interfaith organization, held the ceremonial planting to tie into the United Nations’ International Day for Peace on Sept. 21 and the International Day for Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on Sept. 26.

Last modified September 21, 2019 1:40 pm

Bay City News

Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. © 2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

This website uses cookies.