A house feels like a home when there is meaning behind the objects we hold dear. A plant with a history can also become something to cherish. Right now people the world over are participating in a project by artist Hiroshi Sunairi by growing trees from seeds, all of which came from Hiroshima, Japan. These trees are born from seeds that already have a powerful story.

Sunairi obtains seeds from trees that survived the bombing of Hiroshima. He then sends them to people to plant and grow, to experience the joy of nurturing a plant. Just as Hiroshima has become a city of peace out of such devastation, Sunairi has found a way to bring people together through the very trees that survive from this time.

On his blog, through his exhibitions, and also through his photo account on Flickr, people are brought together by this common thread of having grown a tree from hibaku (atom bomb) seeds.

I also received a seed over a year ago, a Hackberry tree. I was very proud when it sprouted, but then it died (so I thought) before I could take a picture. But I also could not bring myself to throw it out so, for some unexplainable reason, I planted it in a planter outside for the winter. As luck would have it, it was not dead, only hibernating. It came to life in the spring and now lives happily outside.

• Interview with Hiroshi Sunairi
• Tree Project Blog
• Sunairi's exhibition at the Hort. Society of New York in 2009
• Flickr set of Tree Project participants
• Flickr set of Atom-bombed trees still alive in Hiroshima

To participate and obtain your own Hibaku (atomic bomb) seed, contact Hiroshi Sunairi at treeprojects@gmail.com.

Matt writes a weekly column on plants, flowers and gardening. Feel free to e-mail questions to matthew@apartmenttherapy.com

Images used with permission from Tree Project