according to NASA, Pilot Order Model Stuart Roosa brought a canister of about 400-500 pines, sweetgum, redwood, Douglas fir, and sycamore tree seeds with him while on Order Model and Service Apollo 14 Kitty Hawk. These seeds, when they returned to Earth, were then planted around the United States, and now we see all these trees grown up.
So why is that inspiring? Because, technically, they went to the Moon. It is unbelievable that trees went into space before I did that. But more than that, it shows the brilliance of those who went to the moon all the time in space and the experiments they did and what they wanted to take with them (and then bring back to the Land, too).
Acting Chief Historian Brian Odom spoke about the importance of these trees and why the “Moon Trees” are important in the study of place as a whole.
“The historical journeys of the Apollo program were all about serious study and incredible scientific discovery. Apollo 14 included the widest range of scientific experiments to that point in the program, but in the case of Roosa’s ‘Moon Trees’, it was what the astronauts took with them on the lunar journey that left such an inevitable symbol of the landscape back on Earth. ”
The seeds were flown in 1971 to “test the impact of deep space on seeds” but also to raise awareness for the Forestry Service and all that comes with it. And now we, as citizens, are reaping the benefits! Personally, I think the idea of “Moon Trees” is fun because trying out what can make a place for tree / plant life is one thing but being able to “the trees” ”Bring that back home for planting and seeing? That’s interesting in a way that can only give us nerdy stuff.
Ed Cliff, head of the Forestry Service, came up with the idea, and since Roosa had been a smoker, he approached it with the action. During the mission, the seeds were endangered and believed to be dead, but nevertheless, when Kitty Hawk’s team returned, it was possible to sow the seeds and shoots were sent to schools, universities, parks, and government offices.
President Gerald Ford then described the “Moon Trees” in a telegram on tree planting rituals:
“This tree, carried by astronauts Stuart Roosa, Alan Shepard, and Edgar Mitchell on their journey to the Moon, is a living symbol of our remarkable human and scientific achievements. It is a fitting tribute to our national space program, which has delivered the best of American patriotism, commitment and determination. ”
Certainly not the biggest thing inspiring space activity in the world, but it is beautiful to see these trees and to know how far we have come in our space exploration and that our “Moon Trees” are to look back.
(via NASA, image: Pexels)
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