Watch Live As 600-Year-Old NJ Tree Is Cut Down

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Work continues Wednesday on cutting down the 600-year-old mighty oak tree in Basking Ridge that has died. Loggers began to remove the tree on Monday. Rain delayed progress on Tuesday.

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

• See Related: Basking Ridge's 600 Year Old Ancient Tree Has Died

Keiling Tree Care is tasked with taking down the historic oak. They began with cutting down the large limbs and breaking each one down. Loggers had to be hoisted up into the air high above the tree to secure loose branches and begin cutting. Each branch was then carefully lowered to the ground to be broken up on East Oak Street. This method was done to preserve the historical gravestones located under the tree.

• Check out video from the first day of cutting: Tears Flow As 600-Year-Old NJ Tree Is Being Cut Down

The crew will continue to dismantle the branches before moving onto the trunk of the tree.

East Oak Street will be closed between Finley Avenue and Maple Avenue while work continues to remove the tree. This section is expected to be closed for the rest of the week. More streets may be closed off by police depending on the number of spectators that show up.

The Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church will continue to stream live the dismantling of the tree on its Facebook page, Basking Ridge WebCam. Check out the video below:

(Screenshot of the tree from Basking Ridge WebCam)

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