Monterey in Monterey County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Moon Tree
Sequoia sempervirens
This "Moon Tree" is a Coast Redwood grown from a seed that in January 1971 was carried to the moon and brought back to earth by Major Stuart Roosa, Command Module Pilot for Apollo 14.
The seed was planted and nurtured into a seedling at the United States Forest Service Genetics nursery in Placerville, California.
Planted here in July 1976 and dedicated to the: People of Monterey to commemorate the Bicentennial of the United States of America for the enjoyment of all future generations by the California Division of Forestry and the Society of American Foresters
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees, and the The Spirit of ’76, America’s Bicentennial Celebration series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1971.
Location. 36° 35.872′ N, 121° 53.816′ W. Marker is in Monterey, California, in Monterey County. Marker can be reached from Pacific Street, on the right when traveling south. This marker is located in Friendly Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 Pacific Street, Monterey CA 93940, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chestnut Tree (a few steps from this marker); Monterey History Time Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Chaplain Walter Colton, U.S.N., 1787-1851 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Seal of the State of California (within shouting distance of this marker); Colton Hall – Site of California’s Original Constitution (within shouting distance of this marker); Roger Stanley Fitch (within shouting distance of this marker); Gordon House (within shouting distance of this marker); Larkin House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monterey.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Additional "Moon Tree" Markers
Also see . . . The "Moon Trees". Apollo 14 launched in the late afternoon of January 31, 1971 on what was to be our third trip to the lunar surface. Five days later Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell walked on the Moon while Stuart Roosa, a former U.S. Forest Service smoke jumper, orbited above in the command module. Packed in small containers in Roosa's personal kit were hundreds of tree seeds, part of a joint NASA/USFS project. Upon return to Earth, the seeds were germinated by the Forest Service. Known as the "Moon Trees", the resulting seedlings were planted throughout the United States (often as part of the nation's bicentennial in 1976) and the world. (Submitted on February 19, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 640 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on February 23, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 19, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 7, 8. submitted on March 28, 2015, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 9. submitted on February 19, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.