Fernwood Botanical Gardens
Niles, Michigan
A sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is growing in
Fernwood Botanical Gardens in Niles, Michigan.
It was received on Arbor Day, April 22, 1976 and planted
the next day in the Fernwood Nature Center Greenhouse.
(It was originally intended to be kept at Fernwood only temporarily,
and moved to nearby Fort St. Joseph, which was under renovation at the time,
but the project was not completed, so the tree was left at Fernwood.)
The tree apparently was not healthy at first, likely due to its
original seeds coming from Mississippi trees and not being
adapted to cold weather. But the tree recovered and
a year later it was moved over to a small outdoor nursery
on the grounds, with plans to move it to the arboretum.
However, the tree was thriving in that location so it was never
moved, the area is now the Japanese Gardens.
Three other trees were reportedly sent to Michigan,
to Lansing, Jackson, and the town of Wyoming,
but none of these are still living.
Moon Trees to fly again - Freshwater Reporter (14 September 2022)
Niles ‘moon tree’ celebrates 50 years - Niles Daily Star (4 February 2021
Fernwood Botanical Garden
History of the Moon Sycamores
Moon Tree Home Page
Author/Curator:
Dr. David R. Williams, dave.williams@nasa.gov
NSSDCA, Mail Code 690.1
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD 20771
+1-301-286-1258
NASA Official: Dave Williams, david.r.williams@nasa.gov
Last Updated: 22 June 2023, DRW