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The Old Oak Tree - Basking Ridge, NJ
Posted by: Groundspeak Charter Member briansnat
N 40° 42.401 W 074° 32.939
18T E 538099 N 4506294
This oak tree is estimated to be between 500 and 600 years old.
Waymark Code: WM33BM
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 02/03/2008
Views: 177
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This old oak was a sapling when Columbus discovered the Americas and already a full grown adult when Jamestown was settled in 1607. Famous English evangelists James Davenport and George Whitefield preached to over 3,000 people while standing under its branches in 1740. By the time of the Revolutionary War the oak was already nearly 400 years old and George Washington was said to have picnicked in its shade along with Lafayette and other officers.

In the 1930's in an effort to save it, a large cavity inside the tree was filled with 3 tons of concrete and the local water company installed 260 feet of steel rods and 1,500 feet of steel cables to support the weight of the tree's branches. It is reported to be one of the oldest white oak trees in the Western Hemisphere and its 156 foot spread is the widest of any tree in New Jersey.

The tree is currently on the property of The Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, which was built in 1829.
Genus/Species: Quercus alba

Height: 97

Girth: 20

Method of obtaining height: Reliable source

Method of obtaining girth: Tape

Location type: Private property

Age: 600

Historical significance:
This tree has stood in historic Basking Ridge for nearly 600 years. It is said that George Washington picnicked under this tree with Lafayette and other officers. The tree is in the church yard of The Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, built in 1829. Graves surrounding the tree date to the 1700's.

Walk time: 1

Planter: Not listed

Website reference: Not listed

Parking coordinates: Not Listed

Photograpy coordinates: Not Listed
Visit Instructions:
A closeup picture of your GPS receiver in your hand, with the tree in the background, is required. If the tree is on private property, this closeup photograph with the tree in the background may be taken from the nearest public vantage point without actually going to the tree.
The required photograph does not need to show the entire tree, but the individual tree must be recognizable.
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Recent Visits/Logs:
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Casper&Aero visited The Old Oak Tree - Basking Ridge, NJ 01/17/2017 Casper&Aero visited it
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