Space Shuttle Pines

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The trees in this collection were germinated from Maine white pine seeds which traveled aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1991. After their return to Earth, the seeds were germinated by the International Paper Company in their greenhouse. Surviving seedlings were then planted at the Arboretum in 1994 by the Kennebec County 4-H club.

While nearly 20 years later there are little discernible differences between these pines and their counterparts which never experienced space space travel, we hope the collection evokes a sense of curiosity and encourages it's viewers to pursue scientific exploration.