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Indiana is getting another 'moon tree' from NASA

The tree's seed orbited the moon as part of the Artemis I mission. Now it will be planted in the Hoosier state.
Credit: NASA
This image was taken on Nov. 20, 2022 as part of the Artemis I mission to the moon.

RICHMOND, Ind. — A moon tree is growing in Indiana, and it isn't the first. 

On Aug. 2, the Hayes Arboretum in Richmond announced it had been chosen to host a 'moon tree.' 

The Sweetgum tree is back on land after traveling 270,000 miles to the moon and back as part of the Artemis I mission. 

Almost 1,000 seeds were carried in the Orion capsule, which orbited the moon as part of the mission. The seeds came from American Sycamore, Sweetgum, Douglas Fir, Loblolly Pine, and Giant Sequoia trees. 

One of those seeds has grown into a seedling that now planted in Richmond. 

This isn't the first moon tree to come to Indiana. 

Credit: Courtesy Hayes Arboretum
This is the Sweetgum that traveled aboard the Artemis I mission before being planted in Richmond.

The original moon trees

Back in 1971, the Apollo 14 mission carried tree seeds as well. 

NASA wanted to see how a journey to the moon would impact the development of the trees. After the seeds were taken back to earth they were distributed. 

But NASA admits it didn't really keep track of where they went.

In 1996, a third-grade teacher asked NASA about it and planetary scientist built the moon tree database

Indiana had six moon trees. Four of them are Sycamores, two are Sweetgums. 

One of the Sycamores is planted in front of the Indiana Statehouse

Indiana is also home to what are called "half-moon" trees. 

The two Sweetgums, planted in Tell City, recently died. 

But before they did, some of their branches were clipped and grown into saplings. 

Those saplings will grow into "half-moon" trees, the second generation of moon trees.

RELATED: NASA's Artemis I mission ends with splashdown

The Richmond sweetgum

The moon tree at the Hayes Arboretum was the 23rd one distributed by NASA since Artemis I. 

It was planted on May 30, 2023. 

It will be officially dedicated on Aug. 9 at 4:30 p.m. 

NASA and the USDA will continue distributing moon trees through Fall of 2025. 

Credit: NASA
These saplings grew from cuttings taken from moon tree Sweetgum trees in Tell City, Indiana.

RELATED: NASA introduces 1st moon crew in 50 years: 'Huge risks, huge commitment'

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