Crews set to take down 600-year-old tree where George Washington once picnicked with Lafayette.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Crews set to take down 600-year-old tree in New Jersey where George Washington once picnicked with Lafayette.

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Religion
Beloved 600-year-old white oak tree takes final bow

By BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI

13 minutes ago

BERNARDS, N.J. (AP) — A white oak tree that has watched over a New Jersey community and a church for hundreds of years began its final bow Monday as crews began its removal and residents fondly remembered the go-to spot for formal photos, landmark for driving directions and the remarkable piece of natural history.

Crews at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church in Bernards began taking down the 600-year-old tree that was declared dead after it began showing rot and weakness over the last couple of years. ... The two to three days of chopping and pulling will draw attention from residents of a bedroom community about 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of New York and other tree fans who see it as a chance to bid a final farewell to their close friend. ... "I know it seems funny to some to mourn a tree, but I'm really going to miss seeing it," said Bernards resident Monica Evans, recalling family photos during weddings and communions.

The tree has been an important part of the community since the town's inception in the 1700s. Officials say it was the site of a picnic Gen. George Washington held with the Marquis de Lafayette, and the Rev. George Whitefield, a noted evangelist, preached to more than 3,000 people beneath the tree in 1740.

Arborists say the tree had stood for nearly 300 years before the church was built in 1717. It stands about 100 feet tall, has a trunk circumference of 18 feet and has a branch spread of roughly 150 feet. Officials say the crews plan to initially remove the large limb segments until there is a large trunk section still standing, then remove that section in one piece. ... Its death was likely due to its age. Arborists determined it wouldn't be able to withstand many more harsh winters or spring storms.

[2naSalit]

1. So many of our beloved icons are coming down...

[get the red out]

2. Too bad it's life cycle is over

[RKP5637]

3. Interesting, thanks for posting. It is great that the legacy can continue from the offspring oak

they have cultivated from acorns from the 600 year old oak.

[Blues Heron]

4. time to plant an acorn

[bigbrother05]

5. Reminds me of the 400 year old Liberty Tree that stood at St. John's College

in Annapolis, MD near the Capitol. Was a large tree on campus where they held their graduation ceremonies each spring until it came down in 1999. My son's class was the last to be held beneath it's branches.

Francis Scott Key and two of G. Washington's nephews attended the school and would have known the tree.

Here's a site with a brief history of the tree:

http://www.mcbridegallery.com/showopenings/libertytreehistory.html

[nitpicker]

6. Followup from BBC

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39697989

Much-loved 'George Washington oak tree' cut down

24 April 2017

From the section Entertainment & Arts

A 600-year-old oak tree where President George Washington once picnicked has been cut down after starting to show signs of its age. Working under a grey cloudy sky on Monday, crews in a New Jersey town cut down limbs and pieces of trunk as community members looked on.
(snip)

Acorns from the tree have already been used to grow a replacement. A young 16-year old tree, only 25ft (7.5m) tall, already stands in the north end of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Work began on Monday on the tree, but is expected to continue for several more days.
(snip)

It was reportedly the oldest white oak in the country.