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 United States provided the opportunity to distribute the “moon trees” around the country to celebrate the nation and its accomplishments. The “moon tree” seedlings made their way around the country, and many were dedicated in the bicentennial year of 1976. While the exact number of “moon trees” is unknown, less than 100 have been identified today. Only eight are known in Pennsylvania, including one in Hollidaysburg and one nearby in Ebensburg.

The Pennsylvania Department of Forestry gifted Blair County its “moon tree” at a ceremony in May 1976. Organized by the Blair County Bicentennial Commission, the ceremony included an appearance by NASA astronaut Karol Bobko. Congressional representative Bud Shuster spoke to the “moon tree” ceremony’s importance as one that “symbolizes that Blair County and Central Pennsylvania are part of America’s future as well as her rich past.” And today, the “moon tree” remains as a symbol of American history at the local level.