$40K Needed To Preserve Basking Ridge’s 600-Year-Old Historic Oak Tree

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The local community is joining forces and has set up an online fundraising campaign called the “Basking Ridge Historic Oak Project” to preserve the dying 600-year-old tree.

A Gofundme website has been created to raise $40,000 to prune, dismantle, and store limbs from the dying tree by the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church (BRPC) and The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills (THSSH).

The quoted high cost is due to the tree being surrounded by a Revolutionary War cemetery that cannot be disturbed, so every limb needs to be carefully cut, tied, and craned off to the street, and then eventually trucked and placed in storage for future use, according to the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church.

“This will be the only public campaign to raise funds for this cause and we hope the community will rally around this effort and donate generously to help offset the incredible expense the church will endure to dismantle, preserve and honor the legacy of this historic community treasure," stated Brooks Betz, Trustee at The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills. “We felt that the tree has been a community icon and the church shouldn’t bear the brunt of this journey alone. After all, the tree was 300 years old before the church was founded, so we think this is the right thing to do and help the church raise the funds they need.”

Funds raised through the campaign will be placed in a dedicated account for The Basking Ridge Historic Oak project and disbursement will be overseen by the Church Trustees responsible for executing this specific project.

All donations are tax deductible and each contribution will receive a email confirmation for tax deduction purposes.

What to do with the wood?

The BRPC has been asking for ideas on what to do with the remnants of the tree. If you have an idea, send an email to info@brpc.org.

“We can't guarantee anything, but we are interested in hearing from anyone with an idea," stated Bill Emmitt, who’s leading the Tree Committee at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church. “We want the community involved and do not yet have a definitive plan on what’s next for the remnants of the historic oak.”

To make a donation or to read more about the project, visit www.baskingridgehistoricoakproject.org. #baskingridgehistoricoakproject

(Image by Jason Hutchings)

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