Key Facts
• A historic tree, known as the “Rokkenmachi Gleditsia Tree,” stands near Tateyama City Library.
• The tree, 8 meters tall, saved residents during the 1703 Genroku Earthquake tsunami.
• It fell during the 2019 Boso Peninsula Typhoon but sprouted new leaves in spring 2020.
• The tree was designated a natural monument in 2014 but lost its status in March 2020.
• Local residents formed the “Gleditsia Tree Preservation Society” to advocate for its reinstatement.
• Arborist Yoko Saito confirmed new roots in 2023, with the tree now producing flowers and fruit.
• The preservation society plans to graft saplings with the original tree’s genes in February 2024.
• The tree is seen as a living record of natural disasters and resilience.
Summary
The historic “Rokkenmachi Gleditsia Tree” in Tateyama, Japan, has become a symbol of resilience. Once a lifesaver during the 1703 tsunami, the tree fell in the 2019 typhoon but continues to thrive, sprouting new leaves and roots. Despite losing its natural monument status in 2020, local residents and experts are working to preserve it, with plans to strengthen its roots through grafting in 2024. Advocates hope to see the tree reinstated as a natural monument, emphasizing its role as a living testament to disaster recovery and community spirit.
