Atomic bomb survivor trees return to City Nursery for another chance

Nurtured from seed at the City of South Perth Nursery, four Gingko biloba (Hibaku) trees vandalised at the Fremantle Peace Grove in Beaconsfield have been returned for some special care.

It is hoped these trees, which are descendants of a tree that survived the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945, can be rehabilitated at the City's nursery until they can be replanted.   

The tree seeds were carefully raised by City staff around 10 years ago as part of a global project, Mayors for Peace of which the City of Fremantle is an Executive City member – they were one of seven WA Cities to receive Hibaku seeds to promote peace and help the second-generation tree survive.

Being a deciduous species, the trees are currently in a dormant state, so on their return to the City's Nursery this week, they have received anti-fungal treatment at the top of the damaged stem and placed into 200L bags with fresh soil, microbes and nutrients.

They will remain in the City's climate-controlled greenhouse until later this year, when the trees are expected to produce new growth and begin their three to five-year rehabilitation journey.

Updates on the trees' health and eventual return to the ground will be provided on the City's website and social media. 

The images below show the trees being returned to the City's nursery and their origin, from seeds to well-established trees before being vandalised.