Hiroshima trees planted by Royal Botanic Garden

THREE young trees that have their roots in the rubble of the Japanese city of Hiroshima after it was devastated by an atomic bomb in 1945 were yesterday planted in Scotland’s leading botanical garden in a ceremony to mark the event’s 75th anniversary.

The three Ginkgo trees were planted at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) during the ceremony by Consul General Mr Nozumu Takaoka, Head of Mission at the Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh and the Capital’s Lord Provost, Councillor Frank Ross.

Remarkably, in the wake of the wartime bombing that left up to 146,000 dead and the natural environment shattered, remains of Ginkgo biloba trees began to bud. In 2015, seeds from a surviving female Hiroshima Ginkgo tree were gifted to Edinburgh as part of the international Mayors for Peace project.

The seeds were taken into the care of the RBGE, where horticulturists nurtured 13 trees that were grown-on in the Garden’s Nursery. The ceremony, which recognised the past and current links between the research institute and Japan, included the planting of the three symbolic trees from the “seeds of hope”.

Consul General Nozomu Takaoka said: “As we recognise the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the City of Hiroshima, Covid-19 continues to claim the lives of many across the world.

“Planting these Gingko trees, grown from the surviving seeds from Hiroshima in 1945, gives us great hope that life is strong and can regenerate; as well as serving as a powerful reminder of the need for world peace.

“I would like to commend the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for sharing the legacy of Hiroshima, promoting the spirit of world peace and fortifying the existing bonds between Scotland and Japan at this critical juncture.”

The commemorative ceremony was led by Dominic Fry, Chair of the Board of Trustees at RBGE, who said: “Grown on at RBGE from ‘seeds of hope’, originally derived from a Gingko tree that survived the bombing of Hiroshima, today’s trees represent the much valued partnership and strong links between the RBGE and Japan.

“They are fine and beautiful symbols of resilience and survival in times of trial and uncertainty.”

The RBGE has long-standing partnerships in Japan and has 531 species and 4731 plants of Japanese collected origin.

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