Hollidaysburg 'Moon Tree' Symbol of American History

Hollidaysburg is home to an uncommon sycamore tree that has much more history than most trees. On the grounds of Highland Hall is one of Pennsylvania’s few “moon trees” that grew from seeds that orbited the moon.

In 1971, NASA astronaut Stuart Roosa piloted the Command Module for the Apollo 14 mission to the Moon. Roosa previously served as a wildland firefighter for the United States Forest Service, and these connections led him to carry hundreds of tree seeds while in space. Upon returning to Earth, the seeds were germinated and seedlings began to grow.

The bicentennial celebration of the Un...