Basking Ridge white oak explained

Basking Ridge white oak
Species:White oak
Binomial:Quercus alba

The Basking Ridge white oak (commonly known as the Old Oak Tree and the Holy Oak) was a white oak tree that stood in the churchyard of the Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.[1] The tree was over 600 years old and died in 2016, before being cut down in 2017.[2] It stood at 97abbr=offNaNabbr=off tall, and may have been the oldest white oak in the world.[3]

History

The Old Oak Tree was located in the historical graveyard of the Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge.[4] English evangelist George Whitfield and American clergyman James Davenport preached under it on November 5, 1740 to a crowd of 3,000 during the First Great Awakening.[5] George Washington's troops were drilled on the village green, within view, and Washington picnicked under the tree with Lafayette. The 5,500 French troops under General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur marched by in 1781 on their route to Yorktown, Virginia and the decisive battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Description

The Old Oak Tree was 619 years old when it died in 2016. It stood at a height of 97feet and had a trunk circumference of 20sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1. Its spread was over 130feet.[6] In its final years, its lower branches were supported by metal bars.[7]

Death and cutting down

In June 2016, the Old Oak Tree was "failing to thrive" and showed signs of distress as its upper parts failed to sprout leaves.[8] By September 2016, the tree had died.[9] [10] [11] [12] [13] It was cut down over a three-day period, with the work finished on April 26, 2017. A young white oak grown from an acorn of the old tree was planted in the churchyard.

The current biggest tree in New Jersey is identified as another white oak in the yard of the Sparta Historical Association of Sparta.[14]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. [James Barron (journalist)|Barron, James]
  2. News: September 18, 2016. NJ town mourns loss of 600-year-old tree. CBS News. October 6, 2016. (video story)
  3. Hickey, Magee. "Basking Ridge rallies behind 600-year-old white oak tree", WPIX, June 29, 2016. Accessed July 2, 2016.
  4. News: AP. April 27, 2017. 600-year-old tree that witnessed history taken down. Fox News. April 28, 2017.
  5. Web site: William H. Felmeth (pastor), Herbert K. Ryder, Jr. (architect), and Arch W. Carswell (ex. President, Historical Society). April 3, 1974. [{{NRHP url|id=74001190}} National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: The Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge]. 2016-06-28. National Park Service. with
  6. News: Amy Ellis Nutt. June 27, 2016. A town tries to care for, and let go of, its oldest resident — a 600-year-old oak. Washington Post. June 28, 2016.
  7. http://www.bernardslibrary.org/pdf/WalkingTour.pdf A Walking Tour of Historic Basking Ridge Village
  8. News: Dave Hutchinson. September 9, 2016. 600-year-old white oak appears to be nearing final days. NJ.com. October 6, 2016.
  9. News: September 16, 2016. The oldest white oak tree in North America is on its last limbs. CBS News. October 6, 2016.
  10. News: September 19, 2016. Towering Oak Tree that Has Been Basking Ridge Landmark for Centuries Has Died. TAPinto.net. October 6, 2016.
  11. News: Pam Wright. September 19, 2016. New Jersey Town Mourns Imminent Loss of North America's Oldest White Oak Tree. The Weather Channel. October 6, 2016.
  12. News: Dave Hutchinson. September 20, 2016. Church deciding how to memorialize 600-year-old white oak tree. NJ.com. October 6, 2016.
  13. News: Alexis Tarrazi. September 21, 2016. Basking Ridge's 600 Year Old Ancient Tree Has Died. Patch.com. October 6, 2016.
  14. News: Bruce A. Scruton . September 27, 2016 . The mighty oak is dead; long live the new big oak . . October 6, 2016.

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