Basking Ridge Artist Designs T-Shirt To Commemorate Oak Tree

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Sixth grade Hannah Shen artistic talents will forever be highlighted as her design is now featured on T-shirts to celebrate and remember the beloved historic Oak Tree.

The historic 600-year-old white oak tree in the center and heart of Basking Ridge will be taken down on April 24.

Shen, of William Annin Middle School in Basking Ridge, was the winning design voted by a committee of teachers, a representative of the Historical Society, and members of the Oak Tree Task Force.

“I definitely didn’t expect to win at all,” Shen told Patch. “I thought that the oak tree meant a lot to me and wanted to show the spirit of the tree in my drawing.”

The students at William Annin learned about the history behind the tree that anchors the Basking Ridge community and brainstormed ways to remember the tree after it has to be taken down.
The idea for students to design t-shirts was embraced by the Oak Tree Task Force.

Shen’s freehand design features the tree on the front of the shirt placed on upper right hand side of the shirt over the hear with the saying “Forever in our Hearts.” The back of the T-shirt features a larger tree drawing with “Remember the Tree!” and “Basking Ridge, NJ” worded on it.

“I think the tree is a symbol of our community and it’s sad to see it dying and sad they need to take it down,” Shen said.

Proceeds from the shirt sales will be given to the Historical Society of the Somerset Hills in order to benefit the Community Oak as it will cost thousands of dollars to safely remove the tree.

“We are very excited,” Shen’s mother, Joan said of Shen being chosen. “It’s a great thing and we are very supportive. We are very, very proud of her.”

Shirts are on sale online now and will be at Charter Day. To buy a shirt CLICK HERE.

(Photo provided by family: Hannah Shen)

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