Community Invited to Celebrate Life of Basking Ridge's Historic Oak Tree

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The community is being invited to join a service that will be held by the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church on Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. to celebrate the life of the 600-year-old Basking Ridge Oak Tree.

"We invite you to put this date on your calendar and plan to join with others in our community as we express thanksgiving to God for the life of our oak tree," Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church posted on its website.

A reception will be held after the service in Westminster Hall with refreshments and activities for children.

The ancient tree was declared dead last month after leaf samples were sent to professionals.

"The events of this summer have overpowered the internal mechanisms that healthy trees utilize to withstand the intense heat of summer," church trustees said in a statement to the community.

The church are still caring for the tree by pruning dead limbs in the outer portions of the tree while retaining the structure supported by the cabling system stabilizing the main branches.

However, $40,000 is needed to cover the costs and a Gofundme website has been created by the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church (BRPC) and The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills (THSSH) to cover the costs.

"...the best hope is for the lower trunk to make sprouts next year,' " the trustees said previously.

The BRPC are also 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.

(Image via Jason Hutchings)

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