University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon

A Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga Menziesii) was planted in 1976 on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene. The tree was reportedly originally planted at the spot where Willamette Hall now stands, but was moved in 1987 before the construction and replanted. The tree is located east of the Erb Memorial Union building on 13th Street. the plaque shown above, along with benches, was installed as part of the University Day celebration on 15 May 2003.

The seeds for the Douglas firs that were taken on Apollo 14 were collected in Benton County, Oregon, and El Dorado County, California and sent to the U.S. Forest Service Institute of Forest Genetics (IFG) western station in Placerville, California. Unfortunately the seeds were mixed after the flight, so it is impossible to tell for any of the Douglas firs which lot they came from. The seedlings were grown in Placerville and sent to the Oregon State Forestry Dept. in early 1976. More detail on the history of the Douglas fir Moon Trees is available.

Tree is located at N 44 deg 02.729 min N, 123 deg 04.346 min W

Photographs courtesy Beth Gordon

To space and back: The story of UO’s ‘Moon Tree’

History of the Moon Tree Douglas Firs
Moon Tree Home Page

NASA Official: Dave Williams, david.r.williams@nasa.gov
Last Updated: 08 April 2021, DRW