Rosemary Roosa was only seven years old when she watched her father being rocketed into outer space for the Apollo 14 mission (he was the Command Module Pilot).
This moon tree is looking sparse, but hopefully with winter ending soon the tree will thrive in the upcoming warmer months. The tree has an orange band with the following text:
MSU Moon Tree Sycamore
Starkville, MS
AmericanHeritageTrees.org
703-380-9675
Moon Tree Plaque (not currently at the tree):
"Moon Tree" American Sycamore
This tree is from a descendent of seeds taken to the moon aboard the Apollo 14 mission by Astronaut Stuart "Stu" Roosa in 1971.
Presented to the Tulsa Air % Space Museum on May 21, 2021 in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 14.
Presented by Rosemary Roosa
President: Moon Tree Foundation
Transcript from video about the planting of this Moon Tree:
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A moon tree is now in Tulsa. What's a Moon Tree? Well it's not far from what you'd expect. Fox25's Abigail Dye joins us live after seeing the live planting of Tulsa's very first Moon Tree.
Abigail: Clay and Shea, Tulsa now has its very first Moon Tree. It was planted today at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and I know what you're wondering, is this tree from the moon? That's a no! But, it is a descendant from a tree that traveled to the moon in 1971 with the Apollo 14 Space Mission.
Narrator: Rosemary Roosa was just a little girl when she witnessed her father shoot for the stars. 3-2-1-0 All engines running.
Rosemary Roosa: So I was seven years old when my father took off to the moon in a Saturn 5 rocket. That was just an impressive sight, the massive sound and rumbling and the noise and it was really fun looking up and seeing Daddy up there on top. Roosa's father Stuart left earth that day on the Apollo 14 mission with tree seeds in his pocket. Once he returned to earth he started planting moon trees at museums parks and monuments all over the U.S. After her father passed Roosa started the Moon Tree Foundation so her father's vision could continue to grow.
Rosemary Roosa: The tree are soon going to be the last living legacy from the Apollo program.
Narrator: And Tanya Blantzed says she hopes the tree inspires future moon travelers.
Tanya: It's important that we have a moon tree here at the museum so we can inspire the many children the tens of thousands of children that visit the museum each year.
Narrator: Who thought the tree could inspire us to shoot for the stars?
Rosemary: They really represent more than a tree, I mean they kinda represent the sacrifices and the hardships and the successes and the triumphs of the Apollo Program. So I hope a lot of people get that out of the little trees and are inspired to go back to space and get back to moon and then mars!
Abigail: And the Tulsa Air and Space Museum is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 14th Mission tomorrow with a ball. You can get your ticket online and see that moon tree for yourself!
Reporting live in Downtown Tulsa, covering news that matters, I'm Abigail Dye. Fox23 News.