Artemis II Returns with 5 Native Tree Seeds Aboard – Here’s Why Gardeners Should Care
These native tree seeds have been to the Moon and back, but their biggest impact could be in your own backyard.
Artemis II is all anyone’s talking about right now, and little wonder; it’s one of the most hopeful and awe-inspiring adventures humanity has undertaken in the past 50 years. Still, it’s worth remembering that the astronauts aren’t travelling alone. Thousands of native tree seeds are flying through space alongside them.
Amaze, amaze, amaze? Absolutely! The Artemis II crew – who witnessed a total solar eclipse from orbit and set a new record for the farthest humans have ever travelled – are slated to return to Earth on April 11. That means these tree seeds are poised to continue a legacy that began with the Apollo 'Moon Trees' of the 1970s.
While their journey sounds extraordinary, the real story for gardeners is closer to home – because these familiar native trees are a reminder that the simplest acts, like planting a resilient maple, birch, or pine, can nurture life, support wildlife, and help our gardens thrive for years to come.
Article continues belowThe Native Tree Seeds Aboard Artemis II
The seeds aboard Artemis II represent five native North American tree species: red maple, white birch, eastern white pine, white cedar, and lodgepole pine.
None of these are exotic specimens. All, in fact, are trees that many gardeners will recognize and, with the right care, could grow themselves. That being said, their role on Artemis II elevates them from familiar to extraordinary, as they’re now part of something genuinely out-of-this-world.
It's worth noting that these species weren't just chosen for their recognizable beauty, but for their ecological importance and resilience. Each provides habitat and nourishment for wildlife, stabilizes soils, and has adapted to withstand a wide range of environmental conditions – all qualities that make them ideal for gardeners thinking about climate-smart planting.
'We wanted to think about trees that were representative across the country, but may also be good indicators of the problems that trees are facing,' National Tree Seed Centre coordinator Darren Derbowka told CTV News.
'It’s been a really great opportunity to sort of elevate that conversation about conservation, about forestry and about all of the values that we hold dear to us as part of our national identity.'
Once the seeds return to Earth, they will be planted alongside control seeds that never left the ground. Comparing their growth, health, and resilience may reveal subtle effects of space travel – all insights that could help scientists understand how plants adapt to extreme conditions.
In a world where climate change and environmental stress are affecting ecosystems, every piece of knowledge counts, because planting native trees matter. By taking inspiration from Artemis II and including them in your garden, in fact, you’re planting for the long-term – and helping future-proof your outdoor space.
Take Inspiration from Artemis II:
Whether it's the pollinators who buzz around its spring flowers, or the branches that make excellent nesting perches for birds, local wildlife adores this native tree.
Here, a tree scientist reveals the inventive ways trees sculpt their environment and explains the science of how they achieve these incredible feats.
The tree that keeps on giving, you can collect the curved pine cones from this one for birdseed or to use as mulch for acid-loving partner plants.
There’s something quietly extraordinary about the idea that the same types of seeds you might plant in your garden have travelled hundreds of thousands of miles into space – and will soon be planted back on Earth. Especially as you don’t need a spacecraft to participate in their story.
Honestly? Every native tree you plant – whether it's one of the Artemis II species, your birth month tree, or something completely different – can help create a miniature ecosystem in your backyard, supports wildlife, and contributes to a healthier planet. As Derbowska puts it beautifully, 'there’s already one planet in this solar system that needs terraforming and we are standing on it'.
Artemis II may be pushing the boundaries of exploration, but its message is firmly grounded in Earthly care: the seeds of the future are already in our hands. Time to boldly go where no gardener has gone before, we say...
