UF/IFAS donates cloned “Moon Tree” sapling to Kennedy Space Center

After a special tree at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex was destroyed from Hurricane Irma, scientists from UF/IAS have provided an amazing donation, reported the UF/IAS blog.

The tree, referred to as the “Moon Tree,” is special because of its extraordinary journey: In 1971, the seed spent two weeks in micro-gravity aboard Apollo 14, and traveled to the moon and back. After it landed back on earth, it was cultivated into a sycamore tree sapling, and then planted at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in 1976.

The tree was destroyed in Hurricane Irma’s wake in 2017.

Fortunately, astronaut Stuart Roosa brought along 500 seeds during the Apollo 14 mission, and the remaining 420 saplings were disseminated to many universities and institutions across the U.S. The University of Florida received three: one sycamore and two pine trees.

To clone the moon saplings, 10 cuttings were taken from the sycamore tree and grown in a controlled setting until new roots were formed. Due to challenging conditions, only six of the saplings survived. The strongest sapling was collected and replanted at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex this past spring.

Read the story here.