The Tree that Traveled to Space and Back

The River Edge Shade Tree Commission was the recipient of a “Space Shuttle White Pine” which was given out in a raffle at the New Jersey Shade Tree Federation’s Annual Meeting in October 2010.

The seedling, one of 36 raffled, was grown from seeds that traveled aboard the United States Space Shuttle Columbia in April 4, 1997 on mission STS-83. The Demarest Shade Tree Commission requested that NJ native, Astronaut Gregory T. Linteris, PhD be given the seed germination kits to take on board.  The flight was cut short, landing only 4 days later, yet the seeds traveled 17,500 mph for a distance of 1.5 million miles. 

When the seeds returned to earth, they were germinated at a greenhouse in Jackson, NJ by the NJ Community Forestry Service as part of the Heritage Tree Program.  The normal germination rate for Eastern White Pine seeds is 10-14 day, however, the space seeds germinated in half that time. 

The tree location is now listed with the NJ State Department of Environmental Protection and will be placed on their list of historically significant trees in 10 years.

The RE Shade Tree Commission planted the white pine in the town arboretum behind the library and nicknamed it “Dr. Smith” based on the character from the 1960’s TV show Lost in Space. 

Donations to the River Edge Shade Tree Commission program can be sent to: 750 Kinderkamack Rd., River Edge NJ 07661.  Money is used to help fund planting in town.