Mississippi State University Moon Tree

Starkville, Mississippi

Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) planted at Dorman Hall on the Mississippi State University campus in Starkville, Mississippi in 1975. This tree is the source for the second generation Moon Tree seedlings sold by the American Forests' Historic Tree Nursery.

Upper photographs courtesy of Marco Nicovich, Office of Ag. Communications, MSU

The Mississippi State sycamore had its top snapped off by hurricane Katrina on 29 August 2005, but is apparently still healthy.

Mississippi State University Moon sycamore after it was topped by hurricane Katrina (MSU) and the tree in October 2019 (Google Maps)

Tree is located at 33 deg 27.288 min N, 88 deg 47.671 min W

Mississippi State University Campus Tree Trail

Dorman Hall (map)

Mississippi State University is home to an out-of-this-world tree - Daily Journal, 24 May 2022
As NASA celebrates Apollo 50th anniversary, MSU recognizes lineage of its ‘Moon Sycamore’ tree - M.S.U. Newsroom, 18 July 2019

American Heritage Trees - 2nd Generation Moon Trees grown from the Mississippi State Tree.

History of the Sycamore Moon Trees
Moon Tree Home Page

NASA Official: Dave Williams, david.r.williams@nasa.gov
Last Updated: 30 June 2023, DRW