City grows trees for peace

The City has planted a Ginkgo biloba tree at the scented gardens in Sir James Mitchell Park to recognise 75 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan.

The tree was grown by the City of South Perth nursery from seeds originating from a tree that survived the bombing in Hiroshima in 1945.

The seeds were given to the City of South Perth by the City of Fremantle as part of the international Mayors for Peace group, which was established in 1982 by a former Mayor of Hiroshima to promote lasting world peace.

City of South Perth Nursery Supervisor John Murray who has worked at the City for 35 years said he feels extremely privileged to play a major part in this important project.

“The City operates one of the largest local government nurseries in the metropolitan area and was asked by the City of Fremantle in 2014 to grow the trees.

“The nursery received 10 seeds, successfully germinating eight seedlings, which have grown into six trees, which will be planted in South Perth, Fremantle, Subiaco, Albany, Cockburn and Rockingham.

“Only two Ginkgo trees survived the Hiroshima atomic bombing. The tree planted at the scented gardens in South Perth is from a tree more than 200 years old in the Shukkeiken Garden, which was 1370m from the hypocentre.

“The tree survived the fires after the bombing and still spreads out its large branches today.

“I would like to thank our very experienced nursery staff for nurturing these trees for the last six years, without your dedication this event would not be possible,” Mr Murray said.

Mayors for Peace runs a project to distribute seeds around the world, from trees which have survived the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, to help raise awareness of, and serve as symbols of peace.

66 cities in 18 countries have received seeds including Perth and Tasmania.