The American sycamore between the Flandrau Planetarium and the Kuiper Space Science Building looks like any other Platanus occidentalis, but as a seed, it took a trip many humans can only dream of. Astronaut Stuart Roosa took it to the moon. The seed was one of 500 that accompanied Roosa on the Apollo 14 mission, and one of two that were planted in Arizona after his successful return. The American sycamore is native to the eastern United States, and does well in deep, saturated, lush soils. In ideal environments, the tree can live up to 600 years. The “Moon Tree” on campus was planted near the space sciences building to commemorate the efforts it took for scientists to get to the moon, and the vital role trees and forests will have in our future.
