Looking at the leafy weeping willow standing on the banks of a serene river in Hiroshima, one would never guess it endured ...

When the kids were growing up, we had a giant weeping willow tree in the backyard. It was a magnificent specimen with long, graceful branches that swayed in the breeze. It was also a magnificent mess.

When the kids were growing up, we had a giant weeping willow tree in the backyard. It was a magnificent specimen with long, graceful branches that swayed in the breeze. It was also a magnificent mess.

When the kids were growing up, we had a giant weeping willow tree in the backyard. It was a magnificent specimen with long, graceful branches that swayed in the breeze. It was also a magnificent mess.

When the kids were growing up, we had a giant weeping willow tree in the backyard. It was a magnificent specimen with long, graceful branches that swayed in the breeze. It was also a magnificent mess.

When the kids were growing up, we had a giant weeping willow tree in the backyard. It was a magnificent specimen with long, graceful branches that swayed in the breeze. It was also a magnificent mess.

Every year around Arbor Day, I like to plant a tree ... Willow, I was a little perturbed, but then thought, “Weeping Willows are cool.” So no tears shed. Get it? The year before that, it was a ...