The continued survival of an ancient pine tree, which withstood the 'March 11 tsunami' here and has become a symbol for the city's reconstruction, is in doubt as its roots have begun to rot due to exposure to saline water.
The tree is the only survivor among around 70,000 pines that stood in a scenic area of the coastal city, and it has been dubbed by residents "the miracle pine".
However, the saline water will eventually bring it down, the Japan Greenery Research and Development Center, a body that has been working for nine months to keep the tree alive,
reported to Mayor Futoshi Toba today.
But the 30-meter-high, more than 260-year-old pine tree has produced four grafts that have been raised at a breeding station, raising hopes that the line of pine trees can eventually be restored.
"It will take around 300 years to restore the lines of pine trees, but we will get the job done," said Yoshihisa Suzuki, 66, who heads a local conservation group.
International News inextlive from World News Desk
