Basking Ridge white oak

"Old Oak Tree" redirects here. For the song, see Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.

The Basking Ridge white oak (also known as 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 97 feet (30 meters) tall, and may have been the oldest white oak in the world.^[3]

Basking Ridge white oak
Basking Ridge white oak in May 2013
Species	White oak (Quercus alba)
Coordinates	40°42′24.5″N 74°32′56.5″W
Date felled	April 26, 2017 (2017-04-26)

History

The Basking Ridge white oak 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.^[6] 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.^[6]

Description

Tree in April 2017, days before it was cut down

The Holy Oak was 619 years old when it died in 2016. It stood at a height of 97 feet (30 m) and had a trunk circumference of 20 feet (6 m). Its spread was over 130 feet (40 m).^[6] In its final years, its lower branches were supported by metal bars.^[7]

Death and cutting down

Stump after being cut down

In June 2016, the 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.^[4]

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

• List of individual trees

References

1. Barron, James. "A 600-Year-Old Oak Tree Finally Succumbs", The New York Times, October 16, 2016. Accessed February 22, 2017.
2. "NJ town mourns loss of 600-year-old tree". CBS News. September 18, 2016. Retrieved 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. AP (April 27, 2017). "600-year-old tree that witnessed history taken down". Fox News. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
5. William H. Felmeth (pastor), Herbert K. Ryder, Jr. (architect), and Arch W. Carswell (ex. President, Historical Society) (April 3, 1974). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: The Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-06-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) with photo from 1973
6. 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. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
7. A Walking Tour of Historic Basking Ridge Village Archived 2016-08-19 at the Wayback Machine, The Historic Society of the Somerset Hills. Accessed July 2, 2016. "Over the tombstones broods the ancient White Oak (Quercus alba), more than 600 years old. It stands tall at 97', with a spread of 156' and a circumference of 18'."
8. Dave Hutchinson (September 9, 2016). "600-year-old white oak appears to be nearing final days". NJ.com. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
9. "The oldest white oak tree in North America is on its last limbs". CBS News. September 16, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
10. "Towering Oak Tree that Has Been Basking Ridge Landmark for Centuries Has Died". TAPinto.net. September 19, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
11. Pam Wright (September 19, 2016). "New Jersey Town Mourns Imminent Loss of North America's Oldest White Oak Tree". The Weather Channel. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
12. Dave Hutchinson (September 20, 2016). "Church deciding how to memorialize 600-year-old white oak tree". NJ.com. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
13. Alexis Tarrazi (September 21, 2016). "Basking Ridge's 600 Year Old Ancient Tree Has Died". Patch.com. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
14. Bruce A. Scruton (September 27, 2016). "The mighty oak is dead; long live the new big oak". New Jersey Herald. Retrieved October 6, 2016.

External links

• Media related to Basking Ridge White Oak Tree at Wikimedia Commons
• Bernards Township