This hackberry tree near the army hospital
by the river side one kilomenter from the hypocenter was bombed. The tree
remained burnt and dead-looking for two years, but it miraculously returned
to life. In 1980, however, it lost a big branch in a typhoon.
Nevertheless, it was still a tall, 15 meter tree.Motomachi Elementary School started to take care of this hackberry in 1980. Some called this hackberry, "Hibaku Enoki" (A-bomb Hackberry Tree).
In late August of 1984, another big typhoon hit the area and this hackberry was broken four meters from the ground. It seemed like a log. There were no young leaves the following spring. People began to say that it was finally dead. Many children worried about it. Motomachi primary school children gathered around to encourage the hackberry. In 1985, the hackberry come back again like a phoenix; there were new young leaves and branches in the spring. A tree specialist named Tadahiko Yamano and Hiroshima city officials assisted in this come back.
"Three years have passed since the miracle brought the tree back,but wecan't see new leaves till June. We remain uneasy about it.
Some sat if itis dead it will be removed.
We object to its removal."
Children's Association of Motomachi Elementary School