Pioneer Museum Moon Tree

Troy, Alabama

A loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) Moon Tree was planted at the Pioneer Museum in Troy, Alabama (then called the Pike County Museum) on 5 August 1976. The seedling had been given to the Alabama Forestry Commission and it was decided to plant it in a permanent, easily accessible public facility to promote forestry and education. Commissioner Al Gibbs and State Forester Bill Moody were instrumental in choosing Pike County Museum as the site.

The sign reads:

Seeds from which this tree grew journeyed
to the Moon and back on Apollo 14 with
astronauts Roosa, Shepard, and Mitchell.
Launched January 31, 1971. Upon return to
Earth, seeds were delivered to forest
research scientists for testing and
propagation at the Forest Service's
Institute of Forest Genetics at Gulfport,
Miss. This "Moon Tree" was presented to
the Pike County Museum on August 5, 1976
by G.A. Gibbs, Chairman, Alabama Forestry
Commission.

The Pioneer Museum of Alabama is located at 248 Highway 231 N in Troy, Alabama. The tree is located to the left of the main building as seen from the parking lot. The pictures at top were taken in 2013.

Upper images courtesy of T. Byron Miller
Lower image courtesy Troy Messenger

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NASA Official: Dave Williams, david.r.williams@nasa.gov
Last Updated: 1 September 2023, DRW