Moon Trees are trees grown from seed that went to the moon and back to earth on a NASA space flight. The first,set of moon trees were aboard the Apollo 14 space flight. They were known as "Bicentennial Moon Trees" and the University of Arizona was the recipient of one of the American sycamore seedlings upon completion of the USDA/NASA experiment. That resilient specimen of Platanus occidentalis arrived on campus in 1976 and was planted near the Lunar and Planetary Sciences Building and the Planetarium.
Once again, this time in the 21st Century, NASA sent seeds around the moon on the Artemis I mission in 2022. Once again, moon tree seedlings were distributed to plant in communities around the United States. In partnership with Lunar and Planetary Sciences, the Campus Arboretum submitted an application in Fall 2023. In Spring 2024, we were selected by NASA out of hundreds of applicants receive a second generation ‘Moon Tree’ - a sweetgum seedling known scientifically as Liquidambar stryaciflua. NASA chose institutions based on potential for suitable care, and their ability to maximize educational opportunities and community outreach.
Staff at NASA carefully prepare and pack the trees for shipping across the US.
Dolores Hill of UA Lunar and Planetary Sciences received and arranged delivery to the arboretum.
Moon Tree AZ
Brian Rasmussen, Registrar of the Collections unboxes the tree in the 6th St Greenhouse.
The tree recovers in the greenhouse during the summer, awaiting its Fall 2024 planting.
The new moon tree is ready for its red carpet debut in the UA campus grounds.
The Artemis I Moon Tree was planted during a ceremony on Nov. 4, 2024. Pictured from left: Mark Marley, director of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory; Kellee Campbell, Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium director; Dolores Hill, LPL senior research specialist; Carmala Garzione, dean of the College of Science; Chris Stebe, university landscape architect; Betsy Arnold, interim director of the School of Plant Sciences; and Tanya Quist, Director of the Campus Arboretum.
Daniel Stolte/University Communications
Spring 2025, the sweetgum moon tree reassures us it survived its first winter with many new leaves.
