While the climate challenge forces radical changes on us, entire communities – from Asian metropolises to the forests of South America – they have rediscovered the regenerative power of trees. Whether they are resilient plants, with ancient roots, or small seeds full of memories, Attention to the world’s tree heritage has grown exponentiallyhelping us to see nature as an essential ally. From Denmark to Japan to the remote Amazon, here are five stories from around the world this year they enhanced the charm and power of the trees.
Hibakujumoku: Seeds that survived the atomic bomb sprout all over the world
In 1945, the atomic bomb leveled Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but some trees incredibly managed to survive. Today, those “survivors” are called Hibakujumoku, a term that combines “hibaku” (bombed) and “jumoku” (tree), and evoke the vital force capable of resisting any devastation.
This year, Hibakujumoku’s seed donation to the University of Oslo touched the world. Not just because they are small containers of life, but because they carry a powerful message: a green bridge between past and future which, starting from the nuclear tragedy, remember how important it is to maintain peace and avert the atomic threat.
During the delivery of ginkgo biloba seeds, a delegation of Hibakusha – survivors of the atomic bombs – renewed its call for a world free of nuclear weapons. And as the Hibakusha grow older, these young trees will continue to tell their story of resilience for generations to come.
One billion new trees: Denmark’s green turn
Even in Europe it has been decided to focus everything on the power of the forests: Denmark has announced an ambitious plan to plant a billion trees in the next 20 years and convert 10% of its agricultural land into forests and natural habitats. The objective is twofold: on the one hand, to reduce the massive use of fertilizers – which have been depleting Danish waters and marine life for too long – and on the other, create a natural bulwark capable of storing more carbon and help fight the climate crisis.
Already awarded as the first country in the world to impose a carbon tax on agriculture and gold medal in the CCPI 2025 ranking, Denmark thus strengthens its reputation as a pioneering nation on the sustainability front. The plan, defined as the largest intervention on the Danish landscape in the last hundred yearsplans to purchase land from farmers to reintroduce forests and wetlands, giving space back to nature and ensuring the protection of biodiversity.
The giants of the Amazon in a new protected area
From Europe we move to South America, in the heart of the Amazon forest, where the Parque Estadual das Árvores Gigantes da Amazoniaestablished by the Brazilian state of Pará. With approximately 1.3 million acres of surface area, the new area is dedicated to the conservation of monumental trees such as the Angelim Vermelho (Dassociazione excelsa), considered one of the tallest in the Americas, capable of reaching 88 meters in height and a age between 400 and 600 years.
The discovery of these giants in 2019 required field expeditions to confirm their grandeur. Today, these majestic trees are not only a spectacle of nature, but they represent a fundamental resource in the fight against climate changethanks to their ability to store large quantities of carbon.
The establishment of the park also supports the indigenous communities who, for centuries, have lived in harmony with the forest, collecting Brazil nuts and medicinal plants. This coexistence between nature and local culture is a model of responsible conservation, which can also promote respectful and sustainable ecotourism.
Daisugi: how to obtain valuable lumber without cutting down trees
Let’s now fly to Japan, where the veneration for trees is also expressed through ingenious forestry techniques: the Daisugi is the most striking example of this. Born in the 14th century in the Kitayama area (Kyoto), this pruning method allows you to obtain very high quality wood without cutting down the mother plant. The lower branches are pruned with great precision, leaving the upper branches to grow vertically as new “perfect” trunks.
The result? An incredibly strong, straight and knot-free wood, excellent for construction and decoration. The “mother” cedar can produce up to a hundred logs over the centuries, guaranteeing a renewable resource and minimal environmental impact. Today, the Daisugi is also an ornamental attraction in traditional Japanese gardens, symbol of the harmonious bond between man and natureand a model studied by advocates of sustainable forestry around the world.
The winter “blankets” on the trees of Korea
Last but not least, a story that combines popular creativity and ecosystem protection: in Korea, during the winter, some trunks are “dressed” with real blankets. In Seoul, the Jeongdong-gil community hand-makes woolen cloaks and sweaters for the trees, protecting them from the cold and urban pollution.
This “wool bombardment” goes far beyond the decorative aspect: during the coldest season, insects avoid the fabrico, which is then removed with the arrival of spring, promoting the health of the plant. Furthermore, the making of these “tree garments” often involves the elderly and people with disabilities, creating job opportunities and social integration. An act of solidarity and an original example of active citizenship, where care for nature becomes an opportunity for aggregation and protection of public greenery.
From the Hibakujumoku planted around the world as a symbol of peace, through the Danish green breakthrough and the gigantic wonders of the Amazon, up to the singular Japanese techniques and Korean winter blankets, every tree celebrated in 2024 becomes the protagonist of a new pact between man and nature.
