Japan creates gigantic tree memorial sculpture

[KnotSure]

Japan erects massive sculpture of the last standing tree from a forest destroyed by the 2011 tsunami.

 

 

The Japanese have chosen to remember the miracle 88ft pine tree that survived the tsunami by building this memorial sculpture. The towering 88-foot tall pine tree was the last standing among a forest of 70,000 trees that were completely wiped out along the coast in Rikuzentakata, Iwate prefecture. The tree survived for nearly 18 months after the tsunami but eventually died due to high levels of saline introduced into its environment, after which is was felled and giant molds were created to again form the trunk and branches as they stood when the tree was alive. The monument is set to be unveiled this week. (Original article here)

 

I wonder how long it will stand for. Perhaps just re planting a new forest would have been a better memorial than this.

[Kenny McGregor]

maybe the soil in the area is contaminated with salt now? But I know what you mean, you would hope they do try to replant.

[Mark J]

It's still pretty cool though.

[KnotSure]

It's still pretty cool though.

 

It is. I suppose it is pretty significant that the tree was the lone survivor of such a tragedy and now the memorial will stand for prosperity and hope. Biggest tree sculpture I've ever seen.

[Stephen Blair]

Wow, very realistic.

[DM TREES]

That's is a fitting memorial to a tsunami survivor that salt killed !!

[sloth]

Quite spectacular. I wonder if the scaffolding will remain in place, and how the tree is 'rooted' for support?

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Quite spectacular. I wonder if the scaffolding will remain in place, and how the tree is 'rooted' for support?

 

knowing the japs, both the asthetic and engineering will be well sorted:thumbup1:

[Adam Bourne]

Thanks for sharing mate:thumbup1:

 

There's a few mixed reviews on the original article, and a few $$ numbers that I'm not sure about but apparently $1.500.000 to create the tree sculpture!

[DM TREES]

$1.500.000 is small change as a mark of respect to all those that lost their lives

I'm sure that's the real meaning behind it