Moon trees are a unique botanical phenomenon that embodies the intertwining of space exploration and terrestrial life. Originating from seeds that journeyed to the moon aboard NASA’s Apollo 14 mission in 1971, these seeds were carried in the command module by astronaut
Stuart Roosa[1] while his colleagues, Alan Shepard[2] and Edgar Mitchell[3], conducted experiments on the lunar surface. Among the approximately 500 seeds on board were varieties of trees such as Loblolly Pine, Sycamore, Sweetgum, Redwood, and Douglas Fir, carefully chosen for their resilience and adaptability.
Upon their return to Earth, the seeds embarked on a new voyage—this time into the soil of different locations around the world. From the United States to Brazil, from Europe to Asia, these seeds sprouted into trees known as Moon trees, marking not only a botanical achievement but also a symbol of humanity’s exploration beyond the confines of our planet.
Planted in public spaces, parks, universities, and government institutions, Moon trees serve as living monuments to the spirit of discovery and the enduring legacy of the Apollo missions. Each Moon tree bears a story—a tale of cosmic travel, scientific endeavor, and earthly growth. While not all trees grown from space-traveled seeds are officially designated as Moon trees, the term is reserved specifically for those originating from the Apollo 14 mission. Nevertheless, the concept of seeds journeying beyond the bounds of Earth,
experiencing the vacuum of space, and then returning to foster life on our planet captures the imagination and inspires awe. These trees stand as tangible reminders of humanity’s capacity to reach for the stars and bring the wonders of space back home. Second-generation trees, grown from Moon Tree seeds, are sometimes known as Half-Moon Trees and are also growing around the world. One such Half-Moon Tree calls NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville,
Alabama, its home as it stands outside a building that played a key role in development of the Saturn V rocket that launched the Apollo 14 mission. As Moon trees continue to flourish and spread their branches,
they also serve as ambassadors for environmental awareness and conservation. Their existence prompts reflection on the fragility and interconnectedness of life on Earth, emphasizing the importance of stewardship and preservation. Whether towering in urban landscapes or thriving in natural habitats, Moon trees symbolize resilience, adaptability, and the enduring quest for knowledge that defines humanity’s exploration of both the cosmos and our own planet.
| City and State | Location | Type of Tree | Planting Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, Alabama | Birmingham Botanical Gardens | Sycamore | 25 February 1976 |
| Montgomery, Alabama | State Capitol | Loblolly Pine | 19 April 1976 |
| Troy, Alabama | Pioneer Museum of Alabama | Loblolly Pine | 5 August 1976 |
| Tuscumbia, Alabama | Ivy Green | Loblolly Pine | 19 October 1976 |
| Tuskegee, Alabama | VA Medical Center | Loblolly Pine | 1976 |
| Tucson Arizona | University of Arizona | Sycamore | 30 April 1976 |
| Ft. Smith, Arkansas | Sebastian County Courthouse | Loblolly Pine | 15 March 1976 |
| Washington, Arkansas | Old Washington Historic State Park | Loblolly Pine | 15 March 1976 |
| Arcata, California | Humboldt State University | 3 Redwoods | 1976 |
| Berkeley, California | Tilden Nature Area | 2 Redwoods | 26 July 1976 |
| Lockeford, California | Lockeford Plant Materials Center | Redwood | 1979 |
| Monterey, California | Friendly Plaza | Redwood | 27 July 1976 |
| Sacramento, California | Capitol Park | Redwood | April 1976 |
| San Luis Obispo, California | Mission Plaza | Redwood | 30 July 1976 |
| Gainesville, Florida | University of Florida | Sycamore | c. 1977 |
| Keystone Heights, Florida | Keystone Heights Library | Sycamore | 1984 |
| Perry, Florida | Forest Capital State Park | Loblolly Pine | 29 April 1978 |
| Tallahassee, Florida | Cascades Park | Sycamore | |
| Tallahassee, Florida | Doyle Conner Center | Loblolly Pine | 1976 |
| Athens, Georgia | Clarke County Planning Dept. | Loblolly Pine | May 1976 |
| Waycross, Georgia | Okefenokee RESA | Loblolly Pine | |
| Boise, Idaho | Lowell Elementary School | Loblolly Pine | 1977 |
| Cannelton, Indiana | Camp Koch Girl Scout Camp | Sycamore | 1976 |
| Indianapolis, Indiana | Indiana Statehouse | Sycamore | 9 April 1976 |
| Lincoln City, Indiana | Lincoln State Park | Sycamore | 1 May 1976 |
| Atchison, Kansas | International Forest of Friendship | Sycamore | 24 July 1976 |
| Elmer, Louisiana | Palustris Experimental Forest | Loblolly Pine | April 1976 |
| Bethesda, Maryland | Society of American Foresters | Loblolly Pine | 30 September 1975 |
| Greenbelt, Maryland | Goddard Space Flight Center | Sycamore | 9 June 1977 |
| Holliston, Massachusetts | Holliston Police Station | Sycamore | April 1976 |
| Niles, Michigan | Fernwood Botanical Gardens | Sycamore | 23 April 1976 |
| Biloxi, Mississippi | Private Residence | Sycamore | 1974-75 |
| Starkville, Mississippi | Mississippi State University | Sycamore | 1975 |
| Waynesboro, Mississippi | Forestry Commission Nursery | Sycamore | |
| Wiggins, Mississippi | Camp Iti Kana | Sycamore | April/May 1974 |
| DeSoto, Missouri | Walther Park | Sycamore | |
| Santa Fe, New Mexico | State Capitol Building | Douglas Fir | 22 July 1976 |
| Silver City, New Mexico | Gough Park | Sycamore | 15 August 1976 |
| Asheville, North Carolina | Botanical Gardens at Asheville | Sycamore | 19 March 1976 |
| Clyde, North Carolina | Haywood Community College | Sycamore | 1976 |
| Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina | Cradle of Forestry | Sycamore | March 1976 |
| Jefferson County, Ohio | Friendship Park | Sycamore | 29 July 1976 |
| Corvallis Oregon | Oregon State University | Douglas Fir | Spring, 1976 |
| Eugene Oregon | University of Oregon | Douglas Fir | 1976 |
| Roseburg, Oregon | U.S. Veteran’s Hospital | Douglas Fir | 3 May 1976 |
| Salem, Oregon | State Capitol Building | Douglas Fir | 30 April 1976 |
| Salem, Oregon | Private Residence | 2 Douglas Firs | 1973 |
| Coudersport, Pennsylvania | Coudersport Area Recreational Park | Sycamore | Late 1970’s |
| Dillsburg, Pennsylvania | Dillsburg Elementary School | Sycamore | 29 April 1983 |
| Ebensburg, Pennsylvania | Cambria County Courthouse | Sycamore | 29 June 1976 |
| Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania | Highland Hall | Sycamore | 5 May 1976 |
| King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | Lockheed Martin | Sycamore | 30 June 1976 |
| Newtown/Langhorne, Pennsylvania | Core Creek Park | Sycamore | 30 April 1976 |
| Topton, Pennsylvania | Topton Mini Museum | Sycamore | 20 June 1976 |
| Knoxville, Tennessee | University of Tennessee | Loblolly Pine | April 1976 |
| Sewanee, Tennessee | University of the South | Sycamore | April 1976 |
| Westlake, Texas | Private Residence | Sycamore | 1978 |
| Draper, Utah | Lone Peak Conservation Center | Sycamore | 1976 |
| Bracey, Virginia | River Ridge Campground | Sycamore | Unknown |
| Doswell, Virginia | Kings Dominion Amusement Park | Sycamore | 1976? |
| Hampton, Virginia | Patrick Elementary School | Sycamore | 30 April 1976 |
| Loudoun County, Virginia | Scott Jenkins Memorial Park | Sweetgum | September 1978 |
| Olympia, Washington | State Capitol Building | Douglas Fir | April 1976 |
| International | |||
| Brasilia, Brazil | IBAMA Institute | Sweetgum | 14 January 1980 |
| Cambara do Sul, Brazil | Praça Central São José | Redwood | 26 September 1982 |
| Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil | Santa Rosa | Redwood | 18 August 1981 |
| Chavaniac, France | Chateau Lafayette | Sycamore status unknown | 1976 |
| Status Unknown | |||
| San Dimas, California | Technology & Development Center | Giant Sequoia? | 29 March 1977 |
| San Francisco, California | Strybing Arboretum | Coast Redwood status unknown | 22 July 1976 |
| Macon, Georgia | Georgia Forestry Center | Loblolly Pine status unknown | 1976 |
| Pocatello, Idaho | Idaho State University | Douglas Fir status unknown | 18 May 1976 |
| Springfield, Illinois | State Capitol | Sycamore status unknown | 29 April 1976 |
| Des Moines, Iowa | State Capitol | Sycamore ? status unknown | 30 April 1976 |
| Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Governor’s Mansion | 2 Loblolly Pines status unknown | 16 January 1976 |
| Annapolis, Maryland | Tawes Garden | Sycamore status unknown | Unknown |
| Hattiesburg, Mississippi | University of Southern Mississippi? | Status Unknown | 1976 |
| Missoula, Montana | University of Montana | Douglas Fir Status Unknown | 17 July 1976 |
| Nebraska City, Nebraska | National Arbor Day Center | Status Unknown | 24 April 1976? |
| Monmouth County, New Jersey | Monmouth County Courthouse | Sycamore Status Unknown | |
| Albany, New York | Empire State Plaza | Sycamore status unknown | 1977? |
| Brooklyn, New York | Fulton Ferry | Sycamore status unknown | June 1976? |
| Buffalo, New York | Delaware Park Lake | Sycamore status unknown | 25 May 1977? |
| Rome, New York | Fort Stanwix | Sycamore status unknown | 1976? |
| Elkton, Oregon | D.L. Phipps State Forest Nursery | Douglas Fir status unknown | |
| Portland, Oregon | Western Forestry Center | Douglas Fir Status Unknown | 25 May 1976 |
| Emporium, Pennsylvania | Cameron County Courthouse | Sycamore? Status Unknown | 15 May 1976 |
| No Longer Alive | |||
| Auburn University, Alabama | G.W. Andrews Forestry Sciences Lab | Loblolly Pine *, Sycamore * | 22 October 1976 |
| Huntsville, Alabama | U.S. Space and Rocket Center | 5 Sycamores *, 2 Pines * | 29 October 1976 |
| Flagstaff, Arizona | Flagstaff Jr. High School | Douglas Fir * | 30 April 1976 |
| Little Rock, Arkansas | Forestry Commission Headquarters | Loblolly Pine * | 15 March 1976 |
| Monticello, Arkansas | University of Arkansas at Monticello | Loblolly Pine * | 1977? |
| El Dorado Hills, California | St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church | Redwood * | 1976 |
| Cape Canaveral, Florida | Kennedy Space Center | Sycamore * | 25 June 1976 |
| Gainesville, Florida | University of Florida | 2 Loblolly Pines * | c. 1977 |
| Boise, Idaho | State Capitol | Douglas fir * | 7 May 1976 |
| Moscow, Idaho | University of Idaho | Sycamore * | |
| Tell City, Indiana | Forest Service Office | 2 Sweetgums * | 1976 |
| New Orleans, Louisiana | New Orleans River Walk | Loblolly Pine * | June 1983 |
| New Orleans, Louisiana | NASA Michoud Assembly Facility | Loblolly Pine (2?) * | July 1976 |
| North Pembroke, Massachusetts | Historical Society | Sycamore * | April 1976 |
| Jackson, Michigan | Dahlem Environmental Education Center | Sycamore * | 22 April 1976 |
| Lansing, Michigan | State Capitol | Sycamore * | 22 April 1976 |
| Wyoming, Michigan | Wyoming Police Station | Sycamore * | 23 April 1976 |
| Alamogordo, New Mexico | International Space Hall of Fame | Sycamore * | 5 October 1976 |
| Albuquerque, New Mexico | Civic Plaza | Douglas Fir * | 7 April 1976 |
| Capitan, New Mexico | Smokey Bear State Park | Sycamore * | 15 May 1976 |
| Athens, Ohio | District 4 Headquarters | Sycamore * | 20 July 1976 |
| Columbus, Ohio | City Nursery | Sycamore * | 1976 |
| Illinois Valley, Oregon | Siskiyou Smoke Jumpers Base | Douglas Fir * | |
| Portland, Oregon | World Forestry Center | Douglas Fir * | |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Washington Square | Sycamore * | 6 May 1975 |
| Elizabethton, Tennessee | Sycamore Shoals State Park | Sycamore * | April 1976 |
| Tullahoma, Tennessee | Arnold Air Force Base | Loblolly Pine * | April 1976 |
| College Station, Texas | Brazos County Arboretum | Sycamore * | 21 March 1976 |
| Salt Lake City, Utah | State Capitol Building | Douglas Fir * | |
| Doswell, Virginia | Kings Dominion Amusement Park | Sycamore* | 1976? |
| Washington, D.C. | White House | Loblolly Pine * | 19 January 1977 |
| Princeton, West Virginia | Forestry Sciences Lab | Sycamore* | 18 October 1975 |
Alamogordo Daily News – Alamogordo, New Mexico • Sun, Oct 3, 1976 Page 51
The Moon Tree Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Moon trees and promoting environmental awareness. Founded to honor the botanical heritage of trees grown from seeds that traveled to the moon during NASA’s Apollo missions, the foundation works to raise awareness about the significance of these trees and their connection to space exploration. Through educational initiatives, tree planting programs, and public outreach, the Moon Tree Foundation aims to inspire environmental stewardship and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world. By celebrating the unique journey of Moon trees and their role in advancing scientific understanding, the foundation seeks to inspire future generations to protect and preserve Earth’s ecosystems.
The Indianapolis Star – Indianapolis, Indiana • Sat, Jul 20, 2019 – Page A15
Footnotes
- Stuart Roosa was an American astronaut best known for his role as the command module pilot of NASA’s Apollo 14 mission in 1971. Born on August 16, 1933, in Durango, Colorado, Roosa began his career as a pilot in the United States Air Force before joining NASA as part of the astronaut corps in 1966. During the Apollo 14 mission, Roosa piloted the command module while his fellow astronauts, Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell, explored the lunar surface. Roosa’s unique contribution to the mission was carrying approximately 500 seeds from various tree species, which orbited the moon with him. These seeds later became known as “Moon trees” when they were planted on Earth. After leaving NASA in 1976, Roosa pursued a career in public service and private business. He passed away on December 12, 1994, leaving behind a legacy of exploration and discovery. [Back]
- Alan Shepard, an American astronaut and naval aviator, made history as the first American to journey into space. Born on November 18, 1923, in East Derry, New Hampshire, Shepard began his career as a test pilot in the United States Navy before joining NASA as one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts in 1959. On May 5, 1961, Shepard piloted the Freedom 7 spacecraft on a suborbital flight, becoming the second human in space and the first American. His flight lasted just over 15 minutes, reaching a peak altitude of 116 miles. Later, Shepard commanded the Apollo 14 mission, where he became the fifth person to walk on the moon, famously hitting golf balls on its surface. Throughout his career, Shepard earned numerous accolades, including the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. He retired from NASA and the Navy in 1974, embarking on a successful career in business. Shepard passed away on July 21, 1998, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering achievements in space exploration. [Back]
- Edgar Mitchell was an American astronaut and scientist who made history as the lunar module pilot of NASA’s Apollo 14 mission. Born on September 17, 1930, in Hereford, Texas, Mitchell earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from the Carnegie Institute of Technology and a doctorate in aeronautics and astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Selected as an astronaut in 1966, Mitchell flew in space for the first and only time during the Apollo 14 mission in 1971. Alongside Alan Shepard and Stuart Roosa, Mitchell landed on the moon, becoming the sixth person to walk on its surface. During his lunar excursion, Mitchell conducted experiments and collected samples, contributing valuable data to scientific research. After retiring from NASA in 1972, Mitchell pursued interests in consciousness and spirituality, founding the Institute of Noetic Sciences. He passed away on February 4, 2016, leaving behind a legacy of exploration, scientific inquiry, and advocacy for the interconnectedness of humanity and the cosmos. [Back]
Further Reading
Sources
- NASA. “Stuart Roosa.” NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/stuart-a-roosa
- National Space Society. “Apollo 14.” National Space Society. https://space.nss.org/apollo-14/
- Lick Observatory. “The Moon Trees.” Lick Observatory. https://www.ucolick.org/main/moontrees.html
- NSSDCA “The “Moon Trees”” https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/moon_tree.html
- Treehugger “Moon Trees: The Story of the Seeds That Went to Outer Space” https://www.treehugger.com/moon-trees-the-story-of-seeds-that-went-to-outer-space-5192075
- IndyStar “Across Indiana, trees are growing from seeds that went to the Moon. Here’s where you can find them.” https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2019/07/18/indianas-moon-tree-seeds-made-their-way-space-and-back/1629114001/
- Explore “Moon Trees Stand as Living Testaments to First Voyages to Moon” https://www.nasa.gov/history/moon-trees-stand-as-living-testaments-to-first-voyages-to-moon/
- Experimental Craft “Making of a Moon Tree Map” https://experimentalcraft.wordpress.com/2016/04/05/making-of-a-moon-tree-map/
- NASA. “Edgar D. Mitchell.” NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/edgar-d-mitchell
- Institute of Noetic Sciences. “About Edgar Mitchell.” Institute of Noetic Sciences. https://noetic.org/about/founder/edgar-mitchell/
- NASA. “Alan Shepard.” NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/alan-b-shepard-jr
- Encyclopedia Britannica. “Alan B. Shepard, Jr.” Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alan-B-Shepard-Jr
- NASA. “Stuart Roosa.” NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/stuart-a-roosa
- Moon Tree Foundation https://www.moontreefoundation.com/
