BERNARDS — What is believed to be the oldest white oak tree in the country, one that has called Basking Ridge home for more than 600 years, may have dropped it's last leaves
Old Oak Tree[edit]
In the historical graveyard of the church stands a White Oak, sometimes called the "Holy Oak".[4] It is 600 years old, possibly the oldest white oak in the world.[4] It is nearly 100 feet (30 m) tall and has a spread of more than 130 feet (40 m).[5] It has a trunk circumference of 20 feet (6.1 m) and its lower branches are supported.
English evangelist George Whitfield and American clergyman James Davenport, preached under the tree on November 5, 1740 to a crowd of 3,000, in the First Great Awakening.[3][5]
George Washington's troops were drilled on the village green, within view, and G.W. picnicked under the tree with the Marquis de LaFayette.[5]
The 5,500 French troops of Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeaumarched by in 1781, on their route to Yorktown, Virginia and the decisive battle of theAmerican Revolutionary War.[5]
In 2016, the tree is "failing to thrive"[5] and shows signs of distress as its upper parts failed to sprout leaves.[4]
Jon Klippel, a member of the church's Planning Council, said Tuesday that residents were hoping the treasured tree would spring to life once the weather warmed, but it hasn't.
"It has put out leaves in its lower portion this spring, but its upper portion, the crown of the tree, has not put out new leaves," said Klippel. "An oak tree tends to hold onto its leaves through the winter and then a growth spurt will push off the older leaves early in the spring. Read more
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