Montco's Historic, Massive 'Methacton Oak' Felled By Storm

WORCESTER TOWNSHIP, PA — A decade before William Penn was born, the stately Methacton Oak was growing. The year was 1634, or thereabouts, and the Native American Lenni Lenape people were largely unchallenged in their rule of everything that surrounded the tree.

The tree, also known as the Charter Oak, was just getting going. It would go on to endure nearly four centuries of time, war, weather, and industrial development until damage from a storm Monday night brought it crashing down to the earth.

The Worcester Historical Society first reported that the historic tree, which today stands on the grounds of the Methacton Mennonite Church Cemetery, had fallen. It had been damaged in a storm last week, losing a large limb, and members of the Society, along with a tree expert from Morris Arboretum, were walking around the tree after the storm Monday to inspect further damage. As they were standing beneath the tree, they heard a crack, and had to scatter out of the way as the tree split in two and fell.

During the Revolutionary War, the Methacton Mennonite Church served as a military hospital, and received many wounded after the bloody Battle of Germantown, according to church historical documents. Soldiers who died in the church building were buried under the tree, instead of in the cemetery.

Over its 383-odd years of existence, the tree has embedded itself into local culture. It's connection to the Revolutionary War gives it legendary status, but it has also been represented on the Methacton School District seal, and has been one of the most iconic parts of the community for generations.

Officials are discussing what might be done with pieces of the fallen tree.

The cemetery is located near the intersection of Mill and Quarry Hall roads in Worcester Township. The tree itself stood about a fifth of a mile from the sawmill.

Images courtesy of the Worcester Historical Society, Pennsylvania