Nagasaki A-bombed camphor tree

Looking at the impressive camphor tree photographed here it is hard to imagine that 73 years ago it was burned black, with all the branches broken, two-thirds destroyed by the atomic bomb blast. However, on a closer look, you can see that there are pieces of glass and debris still stuck inside its trunk...

Although the epicenter of the explosion was only 800 meters away, two years after the explosion its amazing life force created new leaf buds.

With an approximate age of 500-600 years, this survivor tree and another one close nearby were designated by the City of Nagasaki as "living memorials", favorable omens for the future of the city and living prayers for peace...