Athens is an interesting and eclectic place: it’s the birthplace of American public higher education, the nation’s first garden club, the world’s only double-barreled cannon, and multiple world famous bands. Adding another layer to Athens’ collection of impressive oddities are not one, but TWO pieces of lunar history: the Moon Trees.
The story begins in 1971 with the launch of the Apollo 14 mission. Apollo 14, marking the third time humans set foot on the Moon, saw the collection of 94 pounds of rocks and soil, the facilitation of several experiments, the first (and only) attempt at Moon golf, and (you guessed it) the birth of the Moon Trees.
Interested in studying how spaceflight impacted plant growth, the U.S. Forest Service sent about 2,000 seeds to the Moon aboard Apollo 14. They chose five different species of tree for the mission: loblolly pine, sweetgum, sycamore, redwood, and Douglas fir. Specifically, these seeds were carried amongst the personal belongings of astronaut Stuart Roosa, a former Forest Service employee. Flying alongside the crew, the seeds launched on a nine-day mission, orbiting the Moon 34 times before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
Upon the seeds’ return to Earth, they were collected and germinated by the Forest Service. Starting around 1976, the baby “Moon Trees” were distributed across the country and planted in celebration of the nation’s bicentennial, landing at state capitol buildings, university campuses, parks, police stations, museums, and even private residences. Thanks to lobbying by the Athens Sertoma Club, one was planted in Athens at 120 Dougherty Street, which at the time was home to the Athens Regional Public Library but now houses the Clarke County Planning Department.
Nearly 50 years later, the Athens Moon Tree stands tall and unassuming in the municipal parking lot, a hidden gem among downtown for those willing to seek it out. It is marked with a small plaque, inscribed with a quote from President Gerald Ford: “This tree is a living symbol of our spectacular human and scientific achievements. May this young tree renew our deep-rooted faith in the ideals of our Founding Fathers. May it inspire us to strive for the kind of growth that benefits our own citizens and all mankind.”
Athens is, as of quite recently, also home to a SECOND Moon Tree! In 2022, a new batch of seeds traveled 1.4 million miles to the Moon and back aboard NASA’s Artemis I mission. Like their predecessors, these Moon Trees are being distributed to community hubs across the nation, including our very own Winterville Library!
Additional Sights for Tree-Lovers
Athens’ arboreal legacy is surprisingly interesting, and there are numerous other trees worth visiting around the city. Perhaps most famously, Athens is home to the Tree That Owns Itself. According to local legend, the tree was deeded legal possession of itself in the 1830s by Colonel William H. Jackson. Jackson’s original tree was actually blown to the ground during a heavy storm in 1942. Members of Athens’ Junior Ladies Garden Club collected acorns from the downed tree and planted a new one in its place, which continues to draw visitors to this day.
Tree-lovers should also take time to traverse the University of Georgia’s campus, which, in 2000, was designated as an official arboretum. The University has developed online resources and guides to help visitors explore its diverse and beautiful collection of trees. UGA has also been recognized as an official Tree Campus USA, a designation given to campuses that take pointed efforts to cultivate and care for a tree-filled environment.
Additionally, consider stopping by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, which spans 323 acres, contains over 5 miles of hiking trails, and offers multiple themed gardens. See beautiful trees native to Georgia and the Southeast as well as international species from all over the world.
Next time you're in the Classic City, consider seeking out one of these arboreal adventures! You're sure to love exploring Athens' unique and beautiful collection of trees.
