University of Arizona Moon Tree

Tucson, Arizona

The University of Arizona tree is a sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) planted on 30 April 1976. The tree is located between the Kuiper Space Sciences Building and the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, Arizona.

The image at top left shows the tree in 2015, the second tree image was taken in 2018. The original blue sign (below) was replaced by the sign with the same wording shown above. The picture at lower left shows the tree in April 2024. The lower right pictures show the tree and sign circa 2002.

The seeds for the sycamores were collected from Claiborne County, Mississippi. After they were carried aboard the Apollo 14 mission they were germinated and the seedlings were grown at the U.S.F.S. southern station in Gulfport, Missisippi and distributed to Arizona in 1976.

On 30 October 2015, a Moon Tree Celebration was held in the Kuiper Building, featuring a keynote speech by Stuart Roosa's son, Jack.

The tree is located at 32 deg 13.941 min N, 110 deg 56.845 min W.

Top left photograph courtesy Arizona Public Media
Two upper right photographs courtesy Beth Gordon and Kuiper
Lower left photograph courtesy Jason Dworkin
Lower right photographs courtesy Jim Scotti

Kuiper Space Sciences Building

History of the Sycamore Moon Trees
Moon Tree Home Page

NASA Official: Dave Williams, david.r.williams@nasa.gov
Last Updated: 17 May 2024, DRW