Descanso Gardens to Receive “Peace Tree” from Rotary Club of Little Tokyo’s Heiwa: Hiroshima Survivor Tree Group

Descanso Gardens is excited to be the recipient of a very special gift that grows peace. On Sunday, January 19 at 10am, two “Hiroshima Survivor Trees” will be presented to Descanso from the Rotary Club of Little Tokyo’s Heiwa: Hiroshima Survivor Tree group (Heiwa means “peace” in Japanese). These persimmon trees grew from the seed of a plant that survived the first atomic bomb in Hiroshima, Japan in 1945.

“We are very honored to be receiving these trees,” said Juliann Rooke, Executive Director. “They have a beautiful story to tell and will be great additions to our Japanese Garden.”

When the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, killing 140,000 people, survivors thought nothing would grow there for 75 years. To their amazement, blackened trunks of trees put out new shoots in the spring of 1946. Survivors of the bombing described feeling of sense of hope when they saw the shoots growing from trees they thought to be dead. Seeds were taken from these plants and now two persimmon trees grown from the seeds will soon have homes at Descanso Gardens.

“I live in La Cañada and am quite aware of Descanso Gardens’ mission and the importance in the community,” said Makiko Nakasone, Charter President of the Rotary Club of Little Tokyo and a member of the Rotary’s Heiwa group. “We thought the Gardens would take good care of the Survivor Trees for many years to come as a symbol of peace and hope.”

Hiroshima Survivor Tree Re-Planting is a project by Rotary’s Heiwa: Hiroshima Survivor Tree, a group of Rotarians in Japan, U.S. and Russia. Other survivor trees can be found at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo, Downtown LA, Storrier Steans Japanese Garden in Pasadena, Verdugo Woodland Elementary School, Monte Vista Elementary School and Wilson Middle School in Glendale Unified School District.

About Descanso Gardens

Founded as a public garden in 1953, Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. Descanso Gardens is open daily (closed Christmas) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults; $6 for seniors and students with a school I.D.; $4 for children 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and younger.

Descanso Gardens is a member-supported garden accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Join Descanso Gardens and enjoy free admission and early entry year-round. Information: (818) 949-4200 or descansogardens.org.