Hibakujumoku - 80 years of peace, remembrance, and resilience

13 August 2025 News

On 6 August 2025, the world marks 80 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, a catastrophic event that changed the course of history. Among the survivors of that tragedy were not only people, but also trees – the Hibakujumoku.

These trees, exposed to the nuclear explosion yet resilient enough to regenerate, now stand as living symbols of peace, resilience, and hope.

PEFC Italy and the message of the Hibakujumoku

PEFC Italy, the PEFC national member for Italy, has taken a leading role in bringing the legacy of these trees to Europe.

In partnership with the association Mondo senza Guerre e senza Violenza (World without War and Violence), PEFC Italy has introduced the Hibakujumoku to Italian soil, promoting their story as part of a global effort to raise awareness of the humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons.

Since the beginning of the project, 51 Hibakujumoku trees have been planted across Italy. These “peace trees” are entrusted to schools, institutions, and associations with strong commitments to environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and peacebuilding.

Each tree is a gift and a responsibility – a reminder of the past and a call to action for a more peaceful future.

The story of the Hibakujumoku

The term Hibakujumoku is derived from Japanese: hibaku (bombed, exposed to nuclear radiation) and jumoku (tree or forest).

These trees survived the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and were found within two kilometres of the epicentres – areas once believed to be unable to support life for decades.

Despite the devastation, more than 160 trees, representing over 30 species, survived in Hiroshima. From these trees, seeds are collected and distributed worldwide, primarily through the efforts of Green Legacy Hiroshima, a volunteer organisation established in 2011.

Their mission is to spread the legacy of the Hibakujumoku and encourage reflection on the relationship between nature and humanity.

From Hiroshima to Italy

In Italy, the seeds are germinated and cultivated at the Botanical Garden of Perugia, thanks to an agreement with the University Centre for Scientific Museums at the University of Perugia.

Each year, around 10 seedlings are distributed by PEFC Italy and Mondo senza Guerre e senza Violenza to new guardians of peace and memory.

These trees have found homes in towns and cities across the country – from Parma and Perugia to Milan, Taranto, and Venice. They grow in school gardens, public parks, botanical centres, and civic spaces, each one telling a silent story of survival, peace, and regeneration.

A living call for peace

“These trees, silent witnesses to a tragedy that has indelibly marked humanity, carry messages that are more necessary today than ever,” said Antonio Brunori, Secretary General of PEFC Italy.

“Through the memory of the Hibakusha and the symbolic survival of the Hibakujumoku, the world continues to learn the lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.”

Marco Bussone, President of PEFC Italy, adds: “Let’s build peace also with a new approach to ecosystems – by halting deforestation, protecting natural resources, and fostering stronger connections between producers and consumers of natural public goods.”

Continuing the legacy

PEFC Italy continues to share the Hibakujumoku’s message through social media and public awareness campaigns. Requests to adopt a tree can be made via alberipacehiroshima@gmail.com.

Each Hibakujumoku planted is more than a tree – it is a legacy, a teaching tool, and a symbol of hope. In commemorating 80 years since the bombing of Hiroshima, PEFC Italy invites communities to reflect, to remember, and to nurture peace for generations to come.