STATE COLLEGE — A new tree is weaving its roots at the Arboretum at Penn State after its seed successfully orbited the moon. Located in the children’s garden within the Arboretum, the four-foot-tall American sycamore sapling is one of 300 locations chosen by NASA.
“More than a half-century ago, NASA astronaut Stuart Roosa, the command module pilot for the Apollo 14 mission and a former U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Services smokejumper, carried tree seeds into lunar orbit,” NASA’s website explained, sharing more about how the moon tree program began.
“The Apollo 14 moon trees were grown into seedlings by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Services and eventually disseminated to national monuments and dignitaries around the world, with a large number distributed as part of the nation’s bicentennial event.”
The spirit of the original Apollo 14 moon trees continues with a new generation of seeds that traveled for four weeks in space, thousands of miles beyond the moon, on the Orion spacecraft, according to NASA’s website.
“A new era of moon trees will one day stand tall in communities across America,” Bill Nelson, NASA administrator, shared in a statement announcing the recipients of the saplings. “NASA is bringing the spirit of exploration back down to Earth because space belongs to everyone. The Artemis Generation will carry forth these seedlings that will be fertile ground for creativity, inspiration and discovery for years to come.”
Over 1,000 applicants applied to receive a moon tree sapling, of which, the Arboretum at Penn State was a joint effort of seven Penn State campuses: Penn State Abington, Penn State Altoona, Penn State Behrend, Penn State Berks, Penn State Mont Alto, Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State University Park. The seven campuses make up the Arboreta Network, a network aimed at inventorying and researching trees and plant species, as well as creating educational resources in an effort to one day create an arboretum at each of Penn State campus.
According to Penn State News, the Arboretum plans to take cuttings from the new tree to disperse them onto all seven campuses that were a part of the effort.
“We want kids to be inspired to see the connection between science, technology and gardens, and that it all weaves together,” said Marek Pundzak, director of horticulture and operations at the Arboretum at Penn State.
To protect the new sycamore from wildlife, a wrought iron enclosure was created. However, as it grows, the Centre County community will be able to learn about the species and its impact on the local ecosystem.
“What an incredible journey these future moon trees have already been on, and we’re excited for them to begin the final journey to permanent homes on campuses and institutions across the country,” Randy Moore, chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, said in a statement. “We hope these trees will stand for centuries to come for the public’s enjoyment, inspiring future generations of scientists and land stewards.”
