Lovely illustrations, courtesy of Dr. Rinny Kooi, titled, Illustrations E, F and G.

"E: Leaf of a young twig with incised leaf and a leaf of an older twig without incised leaf, F and G: twigs with leaves"

2024 marks the first time that the only Eucalyptus hibakujumoku—located on the grounds of Hiroshima Castle—gave fruit, which were collected and sent to our partners in Australia. While no seeds were found, we will all persevere and try again next year. 

(Pictured from left to right in group photo: Dermot Molloy, Senior Curator Horticulture at Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne; Virginia McNally, System Garden Curator and Arborist at The University of Melbourne; and Jo Brennan, Horticulturalist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne)

Our stately Eucalyptus hibakujumoku, sketched and kindly gifted by Mr. Peter Sparber of Philadelphia. 

Best Wishes for a Peaceful New Year! 

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In 2014, GLH master gardener Horiguchi sensei took a number of seedlings to Addis Ababa, the headquarters of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Hosted by then Executive Secretary Dr. Carlos Lopes, the baby seedlings were entrusted to the ground managers and gardeners. Thanks to Dr. Lopes (shown during recent visit to Hiroshima), we have now received updates on the little saplings, valiantly growing in the high altitude climate of Addis Ababa.

Dr. Vladimir Rouvinski, a dear friend of GLH and UNITAR who championed the planting of the first GLH trees in Columbia, visited Hiroshima recently. Pictured left, Dr. Rouvinski and Dr. Azimi in front of the Chinese Parasol, Weeping Willow, and Camphor trees. ICESI University's very own Camphor tree is healthy and growing, currently at 10 meters!

A ginkgo, nurtured from seed to sapling for seven years, was planted on World Peace Day in Dunedin. Thank you to all of those in New Zealand who have made this planting a reality.

An article published in the Yomiuri Shimbun about six camphor and 13 ginkgo of hibakujumoku that survived the tragic fires in Chile. New leaves have sprouted from these trees, encouraging residents during the recovery process. To read the article, click here (Japanese).

Our partners at the Oslo Botanical Garden sent us pictures of the Hackberry and Japanese Summer Orange hibakujumoku seeds they received in August 2023. They have potted seeds from other species as well (10 in all), totaling 33 seeds in the soil so far; these are the first to sprout.Our partners at the Oslo Botanical Garden sent us pictures of the Hackberry and Japanese Summer Orange hibakujumoku seeds they received in August 2023. They have potted seeds from other species as well (10 in all), totaling 33 seeds in the soil so far; these are the first to sprout.

In June 2017 GLH sent seeds to V.F.F. Institute Mare Nostrum e.V. NPO-Austria, who since have diligently documented the process. Their 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 their care and efforts, as well as those of Shuichi Hamatani and colleagues from the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.