Survivor Tree Buds at First Signs of Spring
The Survivor Tree showing the first buds of spring. Photo by Jin S. Lee, 9/11 Memorial
The Survivor Tree on the 9/11 Memorial plaza is showing signs of the beginning of spring. Every year, the tree is the first to bud, ushering in a new season marked by renewal and growth.
Discovered in October 2001 in the rubble at Ground Zero, this Callery pear tree had little chance of survival, suffering from broken branches and snapped roots. However, through the care of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the tree fully recovered.
In 2010, it returned to the Memorial, where it now serves as a symbol of strength and a natural gathering place for tributes to victims of violence throughout the world.
This spring, the Survivor Tree will mark the end of a pathway known as the 9/11 Memorial Glade, a dedicated space that will honor all those who are suffering or have died from exposure to toxins at the World Trade Center site in the aftermath of 9/11, including rescue and recovery workers. Following the Memorial Glade’s dedication on May 30, the Survivor Tree, with its storied past of destruction and rebirth, will stand as a fitting testament to the thousands of people who continue to respond with resilience and strength as they grapple with this ongoing health crisis.
By 9/11 Memorial Staff