Moon Tree at Monte Sano
It's a rocket to roots kind of story, and it's one being told at Monte Sano State Park. Meet the Monte Sano Moon Tree!
That's right - this Loblolly Pine tree is a space traveler! It is growing from a seed taken to space on the Artemis 1 mission by a rocket developed at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. On its 25-day mission - between November 16-December 11, 2022 - this seed traveled about 1.4 million miles, including around the Moon. Seeds for the Artemis 1 Moon Trees originated in various locations, depending on the species, and Monte Sano's Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) was collected in 2019 by the USDA Forest Service.
The tree is based in Monte Sano State Park after being entrusted to the Von Braun Astronomical Society (VBAS) in recognition of its tremendous 70 years of education and outreach efforts.
Exciting Fact: The founders of VBAS were responsible for the Apollo Moon landings, and members are still involved in space exploration!
Like the tree, the VBAS Observatories and Planetarium are based in Monte Sano State Park, and the extended partnership between the VBAS and Alabama State Parks allows this living link between Earth and the cosmos to reside in the park as a constant reminder to reach for the stars. The sky really is the limit!
Stop by Monte Sano State Park to capture your meeting with the Monte Sano Moon Tree during regular park hours. Post your pictures and adventures with #MonteSanoMoonTree and #VBAS, and make sure to tag both groups on social media. We'd love to share your experience!
Learn more about the space voyage of the Moon Tree and become a Citizen Scientist in this great partnership here: https://vbas.org/moon-tree/
