Akiko Perona, UNITAR chief of communications who was instrumental in helping us plant a hibakujumoku sapling at ICRC, sent us photos of the tree as it stands (July 2024) — a magnificent specimen, clearly ICRC gardeners have taken good care of Hiroshima’s green ambassador of peace.

On June 18th, 2024, GLH held a committee meeting. Present were the GLH secretariat including coordinator Nassrine Azimi; co-founder Tomoko Watanabe; tree doctor Chikara Horiguchi; and delegates from Hiroshima Botanical Garden, Hiroshima Prefectural Government, and Chugoku Shimbun Hakuhodo (who runs Green Greetings). The topics discussed were Tomoko Watanabe and Chikara Horiguchi’s trip to Norway, English translation of Green Greetings material and seed distribution.

GLH co-founder Tomoko Watanabe and master gardener, Chikara Horiguchi, attended a series of events organized by partners in Norway. They had a chance to visit the Ginkgo sapling sent by GLH to Oslo University Botanic Garden and to give talks on Hiroshima and the Hibaku-jumoku in Oslo and Stavanger, thanks to partners Andreas Løvold and Ekuko Naka.  They also attended a special exhibit organized through the Ullandhaug Botanical Garden in Stavanger. To read the transcript of Tomoko’s speeches, click here. They also attended a special exhibit organized through the Ullandhaug Botanical Garden in Stavanger. To read the transcript of Tomoko’s speeches, click here. Click here to view the announcement for the event at Natural History Museum, Oslo University.

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.

GLH Co-founder and coordinator Nassrine Azimi met with our marvelous partners at the San Diego Botanic Garden — Ari Novy, Jeremy Bugarchich and Joe DeWolf in March. She was also delighted to see SDBG’s young Ginkgo settling comfortably in its new home there, and seedlings of other hibakujumoku, like the Citrus Natsudaidai (Summer Orange) and Kurogane holly growing at the SDBFG nursery.

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.

University College Cork (UCC) recently hosted Japan's Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Norio Maruyama. During his visit, the Ambassador had the opportunity to explore UCC's remarkable tree collection, with a special emphasis on the second-generation A-bomb survivor trees from Hiroshima. For a detailed report on this visit, please visit this link. Photo credits: Max Bell (UCC).

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 recently received a new picture of two Persimmon hibakujumoku in Rwanda, seen here on each side of our partner, Ms. Marie Louise Kambenga Ntwali.