Washington State Capitol Moon Tree

Olympia, Washington

Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) planted on the Washington State Capitol grounds in Olympia, Washington. The tree is located on Capitol Way S. and S. Diagonal. The seedling was sent to Washington state from the Institute of Forest Genetics in Placerville, California on 9 February 1976, and planted in April 1976. A rededication ceremony was held in May 2003, the money for the plaque was reportedly raised by students from Clark County schools selling "Moon Pies". Three clones from the tree have been grown and planted on the Capitol campus.

Images above courtesy Beth Gordon

Below is a page from the "Trees of the Washington State Capitol" brochure

Douglas Fir
("moon tree")

Pseudotsuga menziesii

While the Douglas fir is one of the most common evergreens in Washington, this particular tree has a unique history. During the Apollo moon missions between 1969 and 1972, Douglas fir seedlings were transported to the moon for each of the 50 states. The Washington state 'moon tree' was planted as a seedling on the Capitol campus at its location on Capitol Way, near Tivoli fountain. It's a very full and beautifully formed tree that has a place of honor on the campus, reminding visitors of the Apollo missions to the moon.

Text and image above from "Trees of the Washington State Capitol Campus" brochure
Courtesy Washington State House of Representatives

Lunar Voyager: The Washington State Capitol Campus Moon Tree - Thurston Talk

Olympia's Moon Tree just had triplets - KING 5 Evening

Douglas Fir Moon Trees History

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