Basking Ridge's 600 Year Old Ancient Tree Is Dying

Basking Ridge, NJ - The mighty great White Oak tree that sits in the center of Basking Ridge has served as the town's symbol for about 600 years.

The maple leaves on the town's emblem even represent the tree. The two Oak leaves mark the Basking Ridge and Liberty Corner sections of Bernards Township.

But, the beloved tree now is dying.

"For about two years we have noticed a difference in the amount of leaves, color and texture,"Janet Bentley, Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church Administrator told Patch.

Passersby to the tree, which stands over the historic 1717 Presbyterian Church, can see it visibly struggling as there is a stark difference between the lower and upper half of the tree.

"The tree was first, then the church then the town... It's a very stressful time for everybody," Bentley said. "We love that tree so much."

The church has a committee set up just for the tree to try and figure out what is killing it and how they can stop it.

"We are actively talking to experts from in and outside of New Jersey," Bentley said. "We are assessing all of our options. The goal, of course, is to provide more vitality to the tree."

One expert looking into the tree is Jason Grabosky of Rutgers University Ecology Evolution and Natural Resources.

"It is in a spiral of decline," Grabosky said of the tree. "There still are sections which continue to grow, and this form of dieback of 'ancient trees' is not to be assumed as uncommon."

The actual age of the ancient tree is unsure but the fact that the tree has lived this long is miraculous.

As the typical apple tree lives for 80 years and maple trees about 150, while a common oak typically can live up to 350 years.

At 600 years old, the tree could possibly be the oldest tree in the United States.

"All live things die," Grabosky said. "This tree has had an unusually long life thus far. There is no conclusive way to predict the eventual time of death."

Memories, Lores

The tree has made an impact on the lives of many in town.

Bentley recalled students from Bernards Township schools visiting the tree on a class trip.

"They would hold hands and wrap themselves around the trunk to see how many children it would take," Bentely said.

There have been countless weddings and wedding photos taken under the tree. Even the township logo represents the tree.

In the 1940s there was a similar scare that the tree may die, said Historical Society of Somerset Hills Trustee Brooks Betz.

"They had to pour 500 pounds of concrete to fill the cavity of the tree since it was rotting from the core," Betz said.

There are lores that during the Revolutionary War there was a shootout under the tree.

"It looks like musket ball holes are in some of the walls and tombstones," Betz said.

Another lore is that Betsy Ross is secretly buried under the tree.

It was also said that General George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette were eating and had a picnic under the tree during the Revolutionary War.

(Photos by Jason Hutchings)

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