If you head over to Dorrian Green downtown, just outside of COSI, you’ll find something quietly incredible taking root: a Moon Tree. Yes, really.
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and COSI just planted a sweetgum seedling that went on an epic journey as part of NASA’s Artemis I mission. During that mission, thousands of tree seeds orbited the moon before returning to Earth, where they were germinated and distributed across the country. Columbus is now home to one of them.
Sweetgum trees are native to Ohio and grow tall. Like, 70 feet tall. So while this little seedling may not look like much right now, it’s destined to become a towering, shady landmark in Dorrian Green. More than that, it’s a symbol of curiosity, discovery, and what happens when science and community come together.
“Trees are vital to our environment, our health and our community’s future,” said Bernita Reese, director of Columbus Recreation and Parks. “This Moon Tree is not just a fun and fascinating connection to space exploration. It’s also a powerful way to inspire education about the importance of preserving and growing our natural environment.”
The Moon Tree was planted during the Big Science Celebration, a COSI event that’s all about inspiring curiosity and hands-on learning.
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Moon Trees have a bit of a legacy. The original batch of seeds went to space during the Apollo 14 mission in 1971. The Artemis I seedlings are part of NASA’s effort to continue that legacy while inspiring the next generation of explorers right here on Earth.
So the next time you’re at Dorrian Green, take a moment to visit the Moon Tree. It may be small for now, but it’s got big roots in both science and imagination.
