Hibaku jumoku (被爆樹木) are trees which survived America's nuclear attacks on Japan in 1945.
Following the bombings, American scientists declared that the cities would be barren and lifeless for 75 years. They were wrong. The following spring, new shoots began to grow from the destruction, inspiring the survivors to rebuild their homes.
Many of those surviving trees are still alive today.
On a loosely related note, in Shinto, any trees (or indeed any objects) can be considered yorishiro (依代), capable of attracting kami (神) spirits to inhabit them and becoming go-shintai (御神体). But some trees are inherently sacred.
These sacred trees are known as shinboku (神木). Traditionally, a Shinto shrine would be circled by sacred trees, forming a himorogi (神籬), or divine fence, to enclose the sacred space.
Hmm. Just realised that anyone who didn't read the image captions on the two photographs in that first post may be uncertain why this is even loosely related.
If you're confused, you should probably do that.
@InvaderXan remind me so much the jasmine tree we had at home
@InvaderXan I feel so fortunate you share such interesting and beautiful information with us so regularly. Thank you.
@vicorva I'm just happy it's appreciated
@InvaderXan That's fucking incredible.
@InvaderXan plants are awesome.