A tree with roots tied to space exploration now has a permanent marker in Dayton.
Members of the Dayton Historical Society gathered Friday, April 24, on the grounds of the Dayton Community Center to unveil a plaque recognizing the city’s “Moon Tree,” a second-generation sycamore with a unique connection to NASA’s Apollo 14 mission.
Former Dayton Mayor Caroline Wadzeck, representing the historical society, spoke during the Arbor Day event, calling the tree a fitting symbol for the occasion.
“We’re celebrating the unveiling of a plaque that explains the significance of this beautiful sycamore tree that was planted on April 14, 2022,” Wadzeck said. “I can’t think of anything more appropriate for an Arbor Day celebration than a story of seeds that made a lunar journey.”
That story dates back to 1971, when astronaut Stuart Roosa carried hundreds of tree seeds aboard Apollo 14 as part of an experiment to study the effects of space travel on plant growth. After returning to Earth, the seeds were germinated and distributed across the country and around the world as “Moon Trees.”
The tree planted in Dayton is part of a newer effort – a second-generation Moon Tree grown from seeds or cuttings of the original trees.
“That’s what we have here,” Wadzeck said. “A second-generation Moon Tree that came from an original Apollo 14 tree.”
The tree was made possible through the efforts of Roosa’s son, Chris, who had ties to Dayton dating back to his childhood.
“He remembered Dayton very fondly,” Wadzeck said, noting that the Roosa family had long-standing friendships in the area, including with the Bob Jamison family.
Wadzeck also pointed out the timing of the dedication, coming just weeks after NASA’s Artemis II mission – the first lunar flyby in decades.
“That’s kind of amazing to think about,” she said.
Several individuals and organizations were recognized for their role in bringing the project to life, including Clayton Bracey of Precision Lawns, who cared for the tree over the past four years.
“We wouldn’t have this tree except for Clayton,” Wadzeck said. “He fed it and he watered it. He made sure it thrived.”
The City of Dayton also played a key role, assisting with the installation of the plaque and site preparation. Wadzeck thanked City Manager Derek Woods, Public Works Director Murphy Green and Ben Meyer, who helped complete the project.
As the plaque was unveiled, Wadzeck reflected on what the tree represents for the future of Dayton.
“We’re going to enjoy watching this tree grow for many, many years,” she said. “What a unique gift for our city.”