Professor Honored For Basking Ridge White Oak Tree Legacy Project

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A Union County College professor was honored for his work to continue the legacy of Basking Ridge's 600-year-old ancient oak tree.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Alexander Mirabella presented Dr. Thomas Ombrello, Ph.D with a resolution congratulating and commending him for his work.

A Senior Professor of Biology at Union County College, Dr. Ombrello began the historic tree project at the college in 1995, collecting seeds or cuttings of noteworthy historic trees around the New Jersey.

As part of that project, he collected acorns from the historic Basking Ridge White Oak Tree on the grounds of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church as its life came to an end after 600 years. It is believed to have been one of the oldest White Oak trees in America.

The tree had to be taken down in April since it died over the summer in 2016 despite efforts of the 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

On the college’s Cranford campus, Dr. Ombrello grew a son of the historic tree. Union County College recently donated the 16-year-old offspring of the deceased Basking Ridge White Oak Tree. It was transplanted from the college to the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church in April.

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

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union: Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Alexander Mirabella presented Dr. Thomas Ombrello, Ph.D with a resolution of congratulations. They were joined by Union County College President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.)

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