Basking Ridge Author Chronicles History Of Famous 619-Year-Old Oak Tree

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Basking Ridge local David Schneck has been working for years to keep the history of the great white oak tree, that flourished in the township, for 619 years alive. His latest venture is the release of his book "Soul of a Tree" which chronicles the oak tree's history.

The tree, possibly the oldest white oak tree in the country, was tragically cut down in April 2017 after it died in the summer of 2016.

Schneck operated the logging truck that moved all of the wood as it was cut to its current storage site. Since then he and Keith Keiling formed Forged In Wood to create furniture, instruments and more from the legendary tree.

A self-proclaimed Revolutionary War enthusiast Schneck has always had an interest in preserving the history of the tree. But when he discovered his grandmother's 80-year-old postcard in an attic it spurred him to write a book.

Schneck's grandmother lived in Pine Grove, PA and never drove. She lived to the age of 94 before dying 11 years ago.

Three years ago Schneck's mom was going through boxes in the attic when she came upon one filled with purses. She randomly dumped out a purse where a postcard from the 1940s with a picture of the Basking Ridge oak tree on it fell out.

"We really don't know 100 percent why or who she got this postcard from," said Schneck. "At the time she was alive, she had nothing to do with the tree. She passed away before I had any workings with the tree at all."

This strange connection to the tree possessed Schneck to share this story and others about the tree.

"The book is about how a single tree can affect so many lives," said Schneck.

Schneck alludes to many roles the tree has played over the years even after its been cut down from the instruments he has crafted to the keepsakes he has made.

Over the years he has carved an electric guitar from the tree's own wood for singer-songwriter Alan Grant formally of Basking Ridge. Most recently, Schneck built a guitar from the tree for Steve Cropper of Booker T. & the M.G. and delivered it to him for his 80th birthday in Nashville.

"Trees play an enormous role in our lives. They provide most everything we need to survive as humans from food to shelter and even medicines," said Schneck on his book description. "My hope in the pages of this book people will take away a good story and possibly reflect on their own family history but also understand that even trees have a life span and during that span they provide so mech for humans animals and the environment."

For more information or to buy the book visit thesoulofatree.com or on Amazon.

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