Documentary Will Forever Preserve Memory Of Ancient Oak Tree In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The historic great white oak tree that stood proudly in the center of Basking Ridge for 600 years may have been cut down, but its memory will live on forever in film.

Basking Ridge local and screenwriter Michael Reynolds is finishing up touches on a documentary about the tree.

The tree was possibly the oldest white oak tree in the country and was taken down on April 24 since it died over the summer in 2016 despite efforts of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church to preserve it.

• See Related: Tears Flow As 600-Year-Old NJ Tree Is Being Cut Down
• See Related: Basking Ridge's 600 Year Old Ancient Tree Has Died

Reynolds lives 500 yards away from the tree and could see it from his window. A bit of an environmentalist and a member of the Somerset Hills Historical Society, Reynolds wanted to create something to memorialize the great white oak.

“I started filming about 5 months ago and it kept growing and eventually turned into a feature length documentary,” Reynolds told Patch.

Reynolds interviewed 24 people including artists, songwriters, and sculpturists who created pieces to celebrate the tree. He also spoke with historians, municipal figures and residents.

He even captured the moment when the son of the tree was transplanted from Cranford to Basking Ridge to replace it.

• See Related: 'Son' Of 600-Year-Old New Jersey Tree Planted In Basking Ridge

At the time Reynolds started filming, the tree had already stopped blooming. To showcase it in its glory, Reynolds spoke with historians who provided photos of the tree going back to 1911.

“All things die, all things go away,” Reynolds said. “All things that are alive will eventually not be around and most people don’t like to think about it. But when things go there are things we can do.

“I wanted to show through my documentary how artists can show the beauty of the tree through their work. When people say it is a shame the younger generation can not see it, I want to show that they can now see the sapling that is growing from the tree’s acorn. My goal was always to find a way to say there is sadness in life but if we put our minds together, work together we can find creative ways to embrace it.”

Reynolds hopes to have the documentary edit complete by late summer and then is planning on screening it at larger film festivals such as Sundance, Tribeca, Austin and more.

“I hope I do justice on how rich this subject is,” Reynolds said. “I want viewers to feel it all there. Our eyes and ears are taking it all in... and you know you have something powerful and intricate and complex here. I just want to feel like I can pull all those pieces together and express it through this medium.”

Anyone who may have stories, photos, artifacts to share about the great white oak in Basking Ridge can reach out to Reynolds at mars92@optonline.net.

(Images provided)

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