Connect with us

Uncategorized

75 years after Hiroshima bombing, Oregon ‘peace trees’ become reminders of the resilience of life

Published

on

Across the state of Oregon, 45 trees now grow from a harrowing lineage. They originate from trees that survived the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan — 75 years ago on Thursday, August 6.

The campaign to bring these “peace trees” to Oregon began with Hiroshima survivor and current Medford resident Hideko Tamura-Snider. After founding the non-profit One Sunny Day Initiatives in 2007 to educate the public on the consequences of nuclear proliferation, Tamura-Snider pushed for the planting of seedlings from her home city of Hiroshima around her adopted state of Oregon.

People in almost 30 communities around Oregon helped to plant those trees — ginkgo and Asian persimmon seeded from trees that survived the bombing — in anticipation of the bombing’s 75th anniversary. Today, Oregon has more Hiroshima peace trees than any other state or nation outside of Japan.

Tamura-Snider wrote that the plantings have filled her with joy, as she remembers the long journey that both she and the trees have taken.

“Thank you, people of Oregon, for your enduring faith in the future, in the resilience of life,” Tamura-Snider said.

Six of those trees now grow in southern Oregon towns: Ashland, Talent, Central Point, Medford, Rogue River, and Klamath Falls.

Much of the effort to bring in and grow the peace tree seedlings came from members of the Oregon Community Trees (OCT) Board. At Tamura-Snider’s urging, OCT member Michael Oxendine imported the seeds in 2017, germinating them and potting the seedlings.

OCT board member Jennifer Killian volunteered to care for the young trees for 18 months, while Jim Gersbach worked with ODF’s Kristin Ramstad to find permanent homes for the trees.

“We offered the trees first to Tree Cities USA and Tree Campus USA communities,” said Ramstad, who manages ODF’s Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program. “We had a gratifying response from all parts of the state – the coast to eastern Oregon, and from the Columbia Gorge to near the California border. About three dozen entities, including schools and colleges, churches, cemeteries, parks and arboretums, were eager to obtain the trees and received them at no cost.”

There were supposed to be public ceremonies to mark the plantings as the 75th anniversary looms, but Ramstad said that the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellations of those gatherings.

“Although planting ceremonies had to be canceled, dedicated staff or volunteers got the trees safely in the ground. Most communities are vowing to hold dedications after it’s safe to again hold public gatherings,” Ramstad said.

Regardless of the ceremonies, Gersbach said that the project serves as a reminder of the way that trees can bring a community together, to “reflect on life’s more meaningful aspects and values.”

“We are again in a time of widespread loss of life and uncertainty due to the novel corona virus,” Gersbach said. “These seedlings’ parents leafed out from scorched trunks in the months following the atom bomb, giving hope to the bereaved survivors in Hiroshima. Their progeny serve as hopeful symbols in our current pandemic of the resilience of life.”

You may also like…

Crime & Safety52 minutes ago

Woman who cIaimed seIf-defense after kiIIing the father of her chiId, when she foIIowed the man when she became upset because the victim repeatedIy vandaIized her vehicIe, only to fataIIy shoot him, is convicted

Florida – A Florida woman was convicted of mansIaughter with a firearm in the shooting death of her former partner...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Police Department hosts family-friendly Halloween event at Marquis Assisted Living

Eugene, OR – Eugene Police Department is partnering with The Marquis Assisted Living and Memory Care to host a safe,...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire responded to two-vehicle crash at 13th and Polk

Eugene, OR – Just after 2 p.m. on Friday, October 4, Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a two-vehicle crash at...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire contained structure fire at Brails restaurant early Sunday

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a reported structure fire at Brails restaurant near downtown Eugene just before...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire joined community for annual fire safety event at Jerry’s

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire partnered with the community at the annual Jerry’s Home Improvement fire safety event held...

Crime & Safety3 days ago

Man who cIaimed he had ingested iIIegaI drugs that were not what he expected and bIamed his actions on their effects after using a heavy tooI to strike his spouse, infIicting fataI injuries, the second maritaI partner he kiIIed, is sentenced

Massachusetts – A Massachusetts man was ordered to spend the next twenty five years to Iife in state prison after...

Crime & Safety3 days ago

Dad who cIaimed he was often not at home and able to deaI with daiIy tasks because of his job after his chiId was Ieft to fend for herseIf untiI her untimeIy death from a preventabIe medicaI condition, was convicted

Indiana – An Indiana parent, 39-year-old B. BredhoId, was convicted earlier this week by a jury for negIect of a dependent...

Oregon1 week ago

Oregon State Police seek public’s help after 16 salmon dumped at Cathedral Park

Oregon –  The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying those responsible...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Police Department to host officer hiring workshop October 4

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department will host a Police Officer Hiring Workshop on Saturday, October 4, at 11:00...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Airport expands non-stop services ahead of fall and winter travel season

Eugene, OR – As fall and winter approach, Eugene Airport announced expanded non-stop services and additional travel options for passengers....

Crime & Safety1 week ago

Mom, who was seen by her chiId pIacing toiIet paper in her disabIed 8-year-oId’s mouth before the chiId was struck in the head by her girIfriend, resuIting in fataI injuries, before both women took steps to conceaI the death and dispose of the body, was sentenced

Georgia – A Georgia woman was ordered to spend the rest of her Iife behind bars after pIeading guiIty to...

Trending