Washington Square Moon Tree

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sycamore (platanus occidentalis) planted 6 May 1975 in Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was the first official Moon Tree planted to celebrate the nation's bicentennial. Located at Walnut Street & Independence Mall West.
39 deg 56.853 min N, 75 deg 9.090 min W

Moon Tree planting announcement (courtesy Jane Alling, McLean Library)

Newspaper clippings of the original planting. The first image shows Stuart Roosa and Woodsie the Owl at the Moon Tree planting on May 6, 1975. The caption under the second image reads, "Cub Scout David Burnett, 8, of West Chester, studies the plaque marking the site of the first "moon tree" (background) planted during the national Bicentennial. In ceremonies yesterday at Washington Square, astronaut Stuart Roosa, who carried the seed for this and other trees on a trip to the moon, assisted in planting the tree to mark the contributions forests have made to our way of life. During the Bicentennial year, each state will have its own "moon tree" planted in similar ceremonies."
(Reprinted by permission from The Philadelphia Daily News, May 7, 1975)

A first-hand description of the Philadelphia Moon Tree Ceremony written by Howard Burnett

Images at top of page courtesy of Christopher Palmer
Lower tree image courtesy of Lucy Black
News clippings courtesy of David Burnett

Description of the Philadelphia Moon Tree Ceremony

History of Washington Square

Moon Tree Home Page

NASA Official: Ed Grayzeck, edwin.j.grayzeck@nasa.gov
Last Updated: 14 February 2005, DRW