オフィシャル
Trees for children who live in Chuo Ward
One day in April of this year, when I was strolling near Hamacho Park, I noticed a young cherry blossom tree planted on the bank adjacent to the park. The tree was decorated with red and white ribbons, and the sign temporarily put up next to the tree said “Birth anniversary tree planting.” Yes, this was a tree that celebrates the children who were born and live in Chuo Ward. Chuo Ward plants trees for children every year, and it planted trees for children born in 2023 this year.
The first picture shows the tree and sign in Hamacho Park.
Birth anniversary tree planting Project
According to Chuo Ward, this project started in 1989. My neighbor remembers that each child received a tree in the early days of the project. This is likely because there were fewer children than there are now. In later years, as the number of children grew, the trees were given to groups of children living in the community, where they remain to this day. If the parents wish, the child's name will be engraved on a plate that will be attached to the tree, indicating which tree belongs to whom. In 2024, Chuo Ward divided the children into four groups and planted trees in four different parks. The four parks are: Hamacho Park, Tsukijigawa Park, Ishikawajima Park, and Harumi-Rinkai Park.
The anniversary tree planted in Ishikawajima Park
The trees seen behind the young tree are also anniversary trees.
The anniversary tree in Hakozaki Park
When I saw the tree that was planted in Hamacho Park, it reminded me of a cherry tree that was planted in Hakozaki Park in 2011. The tree was as young and thin as the tree planted in Hamacho Park, but it grew very well. Now, the tree produces many beautiful flowers in spring, and people enjoy “Ohanami” parties under the tree. After the flowers fall, it casts a big shadow, protecting people from the sunlight in the summer. The tree became an adult one step ahead of the children, but the name plate is still there.
The anniversary tree planted in Hakozaki Park in 2011
The tree was as young and thin as the tree planted in Hamacho Park in 2024.
The anniversary tree 13 years after it was planted
It produces many beautiful flowers every spring.
The anniversary tree in May
Koinobori, streamers adorned with carp patterns, swim in the sky. The name plate is on the tree.
The anniversary tree in August
The tree casts a big shadow and protects people from the sunlight.
In closing
It seems that children are not interested in their trees now, but they would remember the anniversary trees when they become adults or parents. As this project started 36 years ago, there may be someone who has both their own tree and their child's tree. I’ve never met anyone like that, but the opportunity to meet such people will arise as long as Chuo Ward continues the project. I look forward to that day.