Mike Deak

@MikeDeakMyCJ

BERNARDS - On Saturday, the township will celebrate Arbor Day by planting its 5,000th tree in five years at Pleasant Valley Park.



But the 5,000 trees, planted in the township's "Five in 5" campaign to replace trees lost in superstorm Sandy, won't replace the township's most treasured tree, the 600-year-old oak in the cemetery of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church that started to be cut down Monday morning.



The tree, known as the Great White Oak, believed to be one of the oldest trees in North America, was determined to be dying. The tree is three centuries older than the church, which was established in 1717 and is celebrating its tercentennial this year.



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The tree had stood for three centuries when the founders of the church decided to build the first church, a log cabin, by it. Since then, two new church buildings were constructed and a cemetery was located under its sprawling branches.

The tree gained its historical significance by being a natural landmark where people gathered. In 1740, the Rev. George Whitefield, an evangelist, preached to about 3,000 people under the three. Local legend says that during the American Revolution, Gen. George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette had a meeting under three.

In the past several years, the tree began to suffer from poor health. The leaf cover began to dissipate and arborists sadly declared that the end was near.



T-shirts with the message, "Forever in our Hearts," are being sold to defray the cost of removing the tree. The T-shirt was designed by William Annin Middle School student Hannah Shen. So far, 72 shirts have been sold, raising $1,340.

The sad operation began Monday morning and is expected to continue through Tuesday. Television news helicopters hovered over the scene. East Oak Street will be closed between Finley Avenue and Maple Avenue.

But it's spring, the season for renewal and new life, and the church is making sure that the cycle of life is not ending.



Dr. Thomas M. Ombrello, a biology professor at Union County College, collected acorns from the old tree in 2001 and created a sapling that was planted in the tree grove on the college's Cranford campus. The new 16-year-old, 20-foot-tall oak will be transported to the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church to continue growing in a spot near its predecessor.

The church is also preparing to celebrate its 300th anniversary this year with a weekend of special events in June.

The weekend will begin with a parade from Ridge High School to the church at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 10. The church will have an anniversary service at 10:15 a.m. June 11, followed by a family picnic at the Ross Farm on North Maple Avenue at noon.

Staff Writer Mike Deak: 908-243-6607; mdeak@mycentraljersey.com