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Bicentennial Moon Tree sign.

Bicentennial Moon Tree

Field review by the editors.

Flagstaff, Arizona

The idea of Moon Trees, trees grown on Earth from seeds carried on Apollo flights to the Moon, germinated in Flagstaff, which at the time was a center for astronaut training. That makes the "Bicentennial Moon Tree" in Flagstaff -- planted on April 30, 1976, according to its sign -- an extra-special member of an already exclusive club.

However, according to a story in the Arizona Daily Star, this Bicentennial Moon Tree never went to the Moon. The real Moon Tree was uprooted and killed by some jerk only three days after it was planted, apparently a victim of 1976 Flagstaff politics (Some saw it as a symbol of artsy-fartsy tree-huggery).

Bicentennial Moon Tree.

The Moon Tree was then immediately, and secretly, replaced by a near-identical Earth spruce tree.

The supporters of the Bicentennial Moon Tree point out that the replacement was never noticed, and that the tree has, over the decades, grown in the fragments and soil of the real Moon Tree, which makes it at least a little bit Lunar. We feel that the real value is in the sign, which continues to enlighten new generations who otherwise would have never heard of Moon Trees or the Bicentennial, even though it admits that the current tree only "represents" the original.

Bicentennial Moon Tree

Address:
755 N. Bonito St., Flagstaff, AZ
Directions:
North side of the city. From US Hwy 180/N. Fort Valley Rd turn west at the Shell station onto W. Navajo Rd. Drive one block. At the stop sign turn left onto Hopi Drive/ N. Bonito St., then immediately turn right onto N. Thorpe Rd, then immediately turn left into the parking lot. Park as close to the big building as you can. The tree is along the back side of the big building (right side when viewed from the parking lot), between the building and a pond. It's a stunted evergreen; the wooden Moon Tree sign is next to it, mounted on a short pole.
Admission:
Free
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Louie the LumberjackLouie the Lumberjack, Flagstaff, AZ - < 1 mi.
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Lumberjack Muffler Man: Formerly IndoorsLumberjack Muffler Man: Formerly Indoors, Flagstaff, AZ - 2 mi.
In the region:
Meteor Crater, Winslow, AZ - 38 mi.

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