Davidson College held a Planting Ceremony for its Gingko saplings on April 26. The event was both reflective and festive, featuring speeches from professor of Psychology Kristi Multhaup (top-left photo) and assistant Professor of Biology Susana Wadgymar (top-right photo). Photos from the ceremony capture the meaningful moments shared by attendees. The College informs us that they are planning future ceremonies for the Hackberry and Camphor seeds when they are ready for planting.

GLH is pleased to introduce its newest partner, the Godmanchester Community Plant Nursery, along with Roger Leivers, a local World War II historian and author who initially contacted us with a request for seeds. The wonderful GLH regional hub coordinator, David Dowd of CAFRE, stepped in and sent hibakujumoku Hackberry, to be nurtured by the Godmanchester Community Plant Nursery. This collaboration symbolizes a shared commitment to history, peace, and environmental stewardship, as captured in a snapshot at the nursery's orchard, where the seeds will eventually be planted.

Ted Samuel, Senior Director of Oberlin Shansi, visited Hiroshima and was given a tour of the hibakujumoku by GLH coordinator Nassrine Azimi and secretariat team member Ben Echikson, who has been working at GLH as part of a 2-year Shansi fellowship. Throughout the tour, they visited hibakujumokus on Atagoike, around Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden.

We are delighted to learn that Jo Brennan of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria could receive today a batch of hibakujumoku Ginkgo seeds, hand delivered by GLH partners Virginia McNally and Dominic Napoleone of the University of Melbourne. Under a shining sun, a small handover ceremony was set against the backdrop of one of the Gardens' flourishing Ginkgo specimens. The seeds are currently undergoing cold stratification in the Gardens' nursery as they prepare to be sowed. We extend our gratitude to all involved for their efforts to make this exchange happen.

In June 2017 GLH sent seeds to the Research Institute Mare Nostrum, who since have diligently documented the process. The Mare Nostrum website features images of the seeds, and the flowchart below, detailing application, arrival and sowing of seeds. It also has a detailed technical analysis that includes step-by-step images and explanations for germinating the seeds. Gratitude for the care and efforts of Peter Bauckmann from Mare Nostrum and Shuichi Hamatani from the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Second-generation survivor ginkgo trees in Westmount spearheaded by our partner Reverend Neil Whitehouse were featured in the local newspaper, Westmont Independent, available online (the article is on page 13).

Our partner Janja Makše from the University Botanic Garden in Ljubljana sent us pictures of Ginkgo and Hackberry trees growing strong into a beautiful green and yellow hue. Janja also informed us that they have 18 Hackberry trees and 9 Ginkgo trees.

Dr. Nura Abdul Karim has forwarded pictures of the Camphor tree taken at the Singapore Botanic Gardens as well as its plaque. According to Dr. Abdul Karim, the Camphor tree is still growing and doing well with the tropical weather of Singapore.

We are excited to share an update on the Gingko tree planted at the Geneva Headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) by Green Legacy Hiroshima. This hibakujumoku was planted in 2013 and has grown beautifully and is flourishing. Its remarkable growth at such a symbolic site embodies resilience and hope, a reminder of ICRC’s humanitarian efforts and also the work and unique contribution of Dr. Marcel Junod to Hiroshima.

Our partners at Dunedin Botanic Gardens sent us pictures of the growth of their hibakujumoku Ginkgo trees in early May. The Ginkgo seeds sent in 2017 are now saplings, enveloped in a brilliant golden color. Picture of GLH partners Lee Vallance with the curator of the Dunedin Botanic Garden (right).