Tree planting at City Hall today: Cherry Tree graft from Kogawa House

Today at 1pm, Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell and city councillors will
plant a cherry tree graft taken from the old cherry tree at Kogawa
House, 1450 West 64th Ave.

The cherry tree and the house figure prominently in both books Obasan
and Naomi's Road, written by Joy Kogawa.  The cherry tree is
getting old and diseased now, so grafts were taken to help preserve its
memory.  Unfortunately, the tree was pruned severely last
fall.  But imagine 5 year old Joy Kogawa, swinging and climbing
from a younger tree, still full of vibrant life and cherries. (Read one
of my favorite books Shel Silverstein's “The Giving Tree.”)

Vancouver City council passed a motion to plant the tree graft in
September – the same week an inquiry for demolition of Kogawa House was
made.

Also attending the tree planting will be Paul Whitney, Chief Librarian
of Vancouver Public Library, and James Wright, General Directof of
Vancouver Opera.  Obasan was VPL's 2005 choice for One Book One
Vancouver program, and Naomi's Road premiered on September 30th, as a
45 minute opera commissioned to tour BC schools.

Also listen to CBC Radio's “On the Coast” 4-6pm, Paul Grant's Art Report interviewed me yesterday about saving Kogawa House.

Cherry Tree at Kogawa House – photo by Don Montgomery

Cherry Tree at Kogawa House – photo by Don Montgomery

Cherry Tree at Kogawa House – photo by Don Montgomery