Life of 600-year-old oak tree comes full circle

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  • čas přidán 25. 08. 2017
  • NEW YORK EMMY AWARD-WINNER - PUBLIC/CURRENT/COMMUNITY AFFAIRS: FEATURE/SEGMENT
    A Community's Farewell to its Ancient Great Oak. - A historic 600-year-old great oak tree was cut down at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church. The iconic tree was believed to have been the oldest in the nation and was the centerpiece of the community. While the loss of the tree was emotional for many, there was a silver lining to this story. The offspring of that ancient tree was planted at the church. August 26, 2017. (NJ Advance Media). Andre Malok, Producer/Videographer, Bumper DeJesus, Editor

Komentáře • 272

  • @Jaybird-oj4rj
    @Jaybird-oj4rj Před 5 lety +163

    The neatest thing is they replanted it’s offspring so a true part of that tree has been reborn.

    • @LifelessHype
      @LifelessHype Před 4 lety +5

      Its like JoJo

    • @DebbieTomkoSUNSHINE
      @DebbieTomkoSUNSHINE Před 4 lety +1

      1023Jaybird Great! I'll pray for it, along with those that saved it...:-)

    • @patbender4264
      @patbender4264 Před 2 lety +1

      Absolutely! thanks to the person that had foresight to do that...

    • @patbender4264
      @patbender4264 Před 2 lety

      The History Channel used to show photos of it while they highlighted the Revolutionary War during week of July 4th but stopped showing it. The capture of Gen. Lee was portrayed then also. So glad you did this Video. Great idea. Pat Bender, D.A.R. member in Ohio. My 5th Gr. Grandfather who is my DAR Patriot is buried near the church bldg. there Dr. Samuel Kennedy

  • @aschnars6
    @aschnars6 Před 6 lety +132

    Even though it's dead, take the wood and carve things out of it and give them to residents so they will always have a part of it with them

    • @kayleabrinkworth6453
      @kayleabrinkworth6453 Před 6 lety +1

      Schnarwhal_

    • @DebbieTomkoSUNSHINE
      @DebbieTomkoSUNSHINE Před 4 lety +1

      ButtshotsButtBuddy Great idea...carve a Bear! Then carve small crosses...:-)

    • @Bw40099
      @Bw40099 Před 4 lety +1

      They_Call_Me_ Pebbles it’s a great idea what’s your issue with it you dick hating on other ideas for no apparent reason

    • @rns7497
      @rns7497 Před 4 lety

      Dont take from the earthmm the earth will deal with the tree

    • @patbender4264
      @patbender4264 Před 2 lety +1

      That was done with some of the oak wood - made things for inside the church too. Sold souvenirs of it

  • @Grassyknolldallas
    @Grassyknolldallas Před 3 lety +20

    My passion in life is to plant at least 100 trees every year until I die.

  • @timwolfe5443
    @timwolfe5443 Před rokem +24

    As a certified arborist who specializes in tree protection plans, it would be interesting to perform a study by recording the gravestones and calculating impact the disturbances to the critical root zone and structural root plate over time.

    • @roblena7977
      @roblena7977 Před rokem +2

      Dude I was kind of wondering the same thing.

    • @jay1jayf
      @jay1jayf Před rokem

      what, explain that in layman's terms.

    • @ronfox5519
      @ronfox5519 Před 6 měsíci

      How old do white oaks normally get?

    • @RM-xr8lq
      @RM-xr8lq Před 16 dny

      @@jay1jayf "critical root zone" area around a tree with roots necessary for its survival
      "structural root plate" part of the root system needed to keep a tree windfirm
      disturbances in these areas could impact tree

  • @NeneGarcia12
    @NeneGarcia12 Před 6 lety +92

    A bench should be made out of the wood and placed there for people to sit

  • @lanevandebrake
    @lanevandebrake Před 3 lety +32

    I live in Basking Ridge, and have my whole entire life! The tree was great to look at when it was up and I had lived with it all of my life when it was cut down it was sad but it will always live in everyone's hearts! Even the stump is a sight to see! It reminds everyone of history that was once there and still is! I drive past it everyday and have loved growing up in Basking Ridge.

    • @patbender4264
      @patbender4264 Před 2 lety

      Thankfully somebody grew saplings to 'replace this great mighty White Oak tree' so that a 25 yr old sapling now stands proudly behind the church. The Indians must have preserved it too & maybe it was a Judgement Tree for them long before the Revolution came thru Basking Ridge NJ. I 1st saw it in 2002. Watcher via internet as it's final days came.

    • @dustintacohands1107
      @dustintacohands1107 Před rokem +2

      Beautiful tree but where did the lumber go? I think best way to respect tree is to craft it into something beautiful after cutting it down.

  • @bruceamlicke8504
    @bruceamlicke8504 Před 4 lety +21

    I grew up in Basking Ridge. A sad day and a loss to the community.

  • @voltron5128
    @voltron5128 Před 4 lety +34

    Looks like a beautiful town with caring people

    • @leaf2180
      @leaf2180 Před rokem +1

      Caring lol. Except for the fact that they cut down history.

    • @DorisCoble
      @DorisCoble Před měsícem +2

      It was either they cut it down, or it fell down and damaged everything and everyone around it. The tree was dead when they cut it, if it was alive then they would have left it. If they didn't get the tree out of there, the dead branches would have fallen into the church, onto the tombstones, into the grass and killed it, and onto cars on the street. But in the end, they replanted the tree and it will continue to grow for 100's of years in this same spot. So yes, the people DO care since they replanted it.

  • @7Risen7Phoenix7
    @7Risen7Phoenix7 Před 11 měsíci +4

    Decades ago when my grandparents' church (also Presbyterian) built a new, larger campus, my grandfather, who took great appreciation in woodworking, was able to collect several boards from the old facility and carve Crosses, one of which he gave to me a few years before he passed.

  • @nickbono8
    @nickbono8 Před 3 lety +16

    We had a couple fires burn through my property in California over the last 6 years and we have a few very old white oak species called Quercus Lobata or Valley Oak that have survived. But with last year’s fire we almost lost the oldest (maybe 350-450 years old). A large dead branch had caught fire and was burning into the live wood, and the bark on one side was burning off. Luckily I caught it in time and put out the flames. It was a great sight to see green foliage reappearing this spring even though it was partially burned and we barely got any rain this winter. Very tough, and beautiful trees.

  • @paulbutterworthbillericay

    Nice Ending, old tree had it's time, glad the man planted the acorns

  • @Resenbrink
    @Resenbrink Před 6 lety +31

    what a great story, that tree had a fantastic life span - thanks for posting

  • @masonlynch1793
    @masonlynch1793 Před 4 lety +11

    We have a 60 year old Magnolia tree in my front yard that my great uncle planted. It moved with my family to where it sits now.

  • @justaperson3607
    @justaperson3607 Před 3 lety +8

    That oak was once a acorn..

  • @BioluminescentOne
    @BioluminescentOne Před 7 měsíci +2

    I love trees. The bigger and older the better. I really like to see people who care about trees too! Thank you. I have a red oak that is 182 inches in circumference. This past August I came home to find my neighbor hacking away at it with a pole saw, trying to cut what he could reach over his property. It could have gotten oak wilt and died. I swear too many people have no respect for old trees.

  • @RareCandeh
    @RareCandeh Před 3 lety +8

    I love the spiritual connection people have to this tree. The way they mention they can 'feel' its energy through the stump.

  • @alexisCalled10
    @alexisCalled10 Před 3 lety +11

    What appears to be the end is not always the end... Love that!

  • @bensedgmer4894
    @bensedgmer4894 Před 5 lety +29

    Our school has a 200 year old oak and it’s big

  • @ImGinaMarie
    @ImGinaMarie Před 3 lety +10

    What a touching story! 😭 They should have sliced pieces of the tree up and given them to everyone and anyone who wanted them in that town. I'm sure the community would have contributed to the cost for that part to be done...this tree could provide mulch or sawdust for many in the community as well..I hope it was used wisely as it was a very wise tree 🍁🌱🍁🌳🍁

  • @drottle
    @drottle Před 6 lety +29

    First time I cried for a tree

    • @enalyn7
      @enalyn7 Před 3 lety +1

      drottle beautiful you feel the history that it has.

  • @radialorbits
    @radialorbits Před rokem +3

    Soo very glad they re-planted its offspring there

  • @superadio1
    @superadio1 Před 4 lety +10

    Really touching story. In the village I liv, we have some very old Oakes close to the church. My uncle died from difteria in 1918. His grave is under one of the big oakes. It's nice somehow to think that the tree was there than too.

  • @DorisCoble
    @DorisCoble Před měsícem +1

    Glad they replanted the tree! It has already grown larger in size, and it will continue to for years to come. Let's be honest, we all got scared for a second they were gonna forget to replant it.

  • @jmike7005
    @jmike7005 Před 3 lety +9

    when i saw that chainsaw cutting through the tree, made me sad.

  • @GreenPowerFarm
    @GreenPowerFarm Před rokem +4

    What a blessing the man growing the offspring !

  • @deannelson9565
    @deannelson9565 Před 6 lety +23

    It was stupid to remove that last main piece of the trunk! That thing was big and gnarly and you could have had a professional Carver come in and make a hell of a monument out of that tree to last for centuries more to come.

    • @Eza_yuta
      @Eza_yuta Před 5 lety +5

      They choose to plant a new tree as symbol of ressurection duh

    • @oldsrocket8841
      @oldsrocket8841 Před 5 lety +3

      @@Eza_yuta You could have done both. Double Duh!

    • @Eza_yuta
      @Eza_yuta Před 5 lety +2

      @@oldsrocket8841 They want it to appear like original tree placed there. Dududuh

    • @oldsrocket8841
      @oldsrocket8841 Před 5 lety +2

      @@Eza_yuta Yeah and do you know how long it takes for that look? Several hundred years and who will remember the significance then? Nobody. That's why it would make sense, so everyone knows the significance by showing a memorial of the one brought down. Otherwise, its just another big tree in a cemetary to those visiting.

    • @Eza_yuta
      @Eza_yuta Před 5 lety +1

      @@oldsrocket8841 Some decades even some centuries doesn't matter for the Reborn phylosophy. Even the people now see the new tree as a baby, their grandchildrens and great grandchildrens will see a large and majestic tree like it was before. Just like the previous tree that was very large every tree was a small tree. If you got a big tree immediately, it's not a reborn phylosophy. The villagers could take a big tree from same species to move and planted there if they want, instead they choose everything from the beginning.
      Your idea of monument is not bad tho, but not the only of choice. For remembering the majestic tree they once loved so much the citizen choose their own option instead of your idea.

  • @catsmeow8504
    @catsmeow8504 Před 3 lety +3

    I grew up near Basking Ridge in Liberty Corner. I love that tree.

  • @henrybing2125
    @henrybing2125 Před 4 lety +10

    I hope they made a memorial out of the trunk or something.

  • @bustedrav
    @bustedrav Před 3 lety +3

    Reminds me a lot of "the giving tree" a great story about what nature and trees specifically can offer to us.

  • @waynebinuk
    @waynebinuk Před rokem +2

    I would love to live here.. Absolutely love the community spirit they have.

  • @DaltonHBrown
    @DaltonHBrown Před 3 lety +3

    I hope they made some really cool things from the wood. Like a gazebo or something.

    • @tigerblanc4624
      @tigerblanc4624 Před 3 lety

      I did not understand why the tree was cut down

  • @75216garrison
    @75216garrison Před 5 lety +19

    Pretty sure that tree is in some of those graves.

    • @sora2534
      @sora2534 Před 4 lety +5

      You would be surprised about the way tree roots spread

    • @sora2534
      @sora2534 Před 4 lety +3

      Even redwoods have roots that only go 3 feet deep but they cover huge swaths of ground, if the graves are the traditional depth (6 feet down) then the roots may not be near the graves at all

    • @ticktockbam
      @ticktockbam Před 4 lety +2

      @@sora2534 But that tree was gigantic, so it would make sense if it had some big roots.

    • @ploopplop9210
      @ploopplop9210 Před 3 lety +1

      @@ticktockbam red woods are in the top 5 of largest trees in the world. so the oak probably had smaller roots.

  • @Catubrannos
    @Catubrannos Před 6 lety +7

    Great story. Impressive tree planting vehicle too.

  • @Nameless-yw6kj
    @Nameless-yw6kj Před 2 lety +2

    This is so cool the Oak lived so long even before the american continent was discovered! Now the new oak will live another 600 years from now!

  • @markymusprime
    @markymusprime Před 3 lety +4

    I oughta visit the young tree

  • @2012turok
    @2012turok Před 3 lety +2

    I have worked in the Forestry all my life in the uk . So thank u for this video... gives us all hope .

  • @bigterrapin5472
    @bigterrapin5472 Před rokem +2

    This is a proper community.

    • @stephenfricke9298
      @stephenfricke9298 Před měsícem +1

      Expensive and a very historical location in central New Jersey

  • @rayhitt5564
    @rayhitt5564 Před 4 lety +3

    What a beautiful tree! Thanks for sharing.

  • @entertainmentanimations
    @entertainmentanimations Před 3 lety +4

    The baby oak is so cute

  • @testtest-qx4yt
    @testtest-qx4yt Před 3 lety +5

    Magnifique créature

  • @paull2937
    @paull2937 Před rokem +1

    I’ve planted 4 white oaks this fall, I hope no one cuts it down and it lives for 600 years as well.

  • @lifewithnature3907
    @lifewithnature3907 Před 3 lety +3

    Who was the first squirrel to ever make its home on it?

  • @slappinpumpkins
    @slappinpumpkins Před 3 lety +3

    I wish I had the space to grow a coast live oak. I hope I can move to place in the future that has one.
    It’s not the same as growing one, but to help nurture the legacy is important

  • @leandrocasas90
    @leandrocasas90 Před 3 lety +1

    I love the idea of generations of the same old white oak always being part of that community throughout the decades. It gives this impression that there's something so sacred to it.

    • @gorehammer1
      @gorehammer1 Před 2 lety +1

      It’s a shame more trees aren’t treated in that way. My community is taking down our oldest white oaks to make room for more developments.

  • @tenzackyogi1742
    @tenzackyogi1742 Před 5 lety +4

    Just make a Statue out of this 600 years old oak tree. So everyone loves it. Its just for memorial.

  • @biddyearly9262
    @biddyearly9262 Před 3 lety +2

    3.53 Should have left the tree like that as a memorial.

  • @NY_7
    @NY_7 Před 2 lety +2

    Would've been nice to leave a big part of the trunk and have a professional wood carver come in and create something for more generations to see and cherish.

  • @nicke1903
    @nicke1903 Před 4 lety +4

    My parents bought a property and there was a Great Oak on it, they tried every way they could to keep it but there wasn't no way to make it work, it was diening too. When they took the tree down it was figures to be around 450-500 years old. It kept many families warm as 100% of the wood was cut and donated to families who needed it for the Winter, and not far from the stump....another Oak statretd growing figured it's from a limb that had Acorns on it drove down into the ground when it was cut, it's 34 years old now it's a great tree it's gonna be a short (comparatively) and wide tree, the base of the trunk is big already.

  • @bettyottman1718
    @bettyottman1718 Před 3 lety +3

    Fantastic, oak trees are really golden fantastic

  • @user-cr9zh2vf7s
    @user-cr9zh2vf7s Před rokem +1

    Perfectly healthy massive oak tree in the woods near me and it, by the look of it is over 1000 years old

  • @paulwoodburn3735
    @paulwoodburn3735 Před 3 lety +2

    They should have made church pulpits, altars and pews with the oak for the church. It's their tree and they should plant more trees.

  • @rpsimoes1382
    @rpsimoes1382 Před 2 lety

    Wonderful story!
    Thanks for share.
    Congratulations from Brasil.

  • @NeuroPulse
    @NeuroPulse Před 2 lety

    So much pure beauty and wisdom in this piece.

  • @Leafcripe
    @Leafcripe Před 3 lety +2

    My parents have a 300+ year old oak on their property and I hope it outlives me because it would break my heart to see it die

  • @pigjubby1
    @pigjubby1 Před 6 lety +6

    To everything, there is a season....

  • @arborist460
    @arborist460 Před 6 lety +11

    It was starting to die but I would have bet it would have stood for alot longer...if a person coulda reduced the tip weight maybe yall coulda kept it...

  • @liveactionhookups3822
    @liveactionhookups3822 Před 6 lety +9

    Even a tree full of souls dies eventually lol

  • @weekendhomeprojects
    @weekendhomeprojects Před 3 lety

    I looked deep into that trees soul, and saw the parlay I need to make this NFL Sunday. Thank you tree.

  • @Mr1bigsexy
    @Mr1bigsexy Před 6 lety +5

    Should have cut the trunk in layers to make end or coffee tables out of

  • @thewatcheronthewall85
    @thewatcheronthewall85 Před 3 lety

    Beautiful.

  • @jadaperez2169
    @jadaperez2169 Před rokem +2

    The comments were all "such a beautiful story." Or suggestions for the wood. But why the frik was there concrete in the tree, and why hasn't anyone else asked this question yet?

  • @darrininverarity4297
    @darrininverarity4297 Před 6 měsíci +1

    If they would cut out spraying those chemicals in the skies this great organism would still be alive.

  • @kalel2723
    @kalel2723 Před rokem

    Beautiful

  • @guydeborde3222
    @guydeborde3222 Před 6 lety +1

    Awesome

  • @deshaundupreeholton8277
    @deshaundupreeholton8277 Před 5 lety +7

    thumb up or thumb down,I'm not sure what to do

  • @siphontheprotogen5170
    @siphontheprotogen5170 Před 3 lety

    I never met the tree but watching this video makes me feel sad and connected with it in some way

  • @anthonym.adraws1070
    @anthonym.adraws1070 Před rokem

    Dang I'm not even there and after seeing this video, I can feel the sorrow and happiness just by watching that tree disappearing.

  • @user2144
    @user2144 Před 2 lety +1

    Why didn’t they fill it with concrete, support the branches more, and leave in position?

  • @NPC-xt5tq
    @NPC-xt5tq Před 2 lety

    I wish my life was so spoiled that cutting down a dead tree makes me cry

  • @Anthony-ig8ro
    @Anthony-ig8ro Před 3 lety +2

    Trees are so amazing.
    Like the spirit of life resides inside them. We have all the answers in front of our eyes. How fragile they can be at the beginning of their life and unbreakable at the end. Wind might shake them but they don't break like essence of life and spirituality and light grows in ourselves, seasons after seasons, thunder after thunder, we become stronger.
    The seeds will help spreading this light and spirituality and more importantly love around the glob
    Every beings on this planet have their purpose. Are we more important than trees? No we aren't.
    It is not because they can't speak that they are not.
    They give us oxygen.
    grow by using sun rays and their roots without destroying anything.
    What are we doing ? We take without giving back anything.
    And yes like every beings on this planet, they do have souls. And it is made from the same energy than your soul.
    (and you might not hear them but trees flowers ect do communicate. Scientists only start understanding that)
    We are far from being as spiritual than they are.
    I think tree is the last step of reincarnation on earth.

  • @derekbartle9133
    @derekbartle9133 Před 4 lety +3

    Looks like it wood have stood another 600 years.........

  • @someonefromthenetherlands2120

    Part of life is the end. And most of the time, the end makes room for new beginnings!

  • @bigfoottreehugger12213
    @bigfoottreehugger12213 Před rokem +2

    I would of loved to see how the tree was growing before we humans invaded its space 😢

  • @hannahsdrawings8664
    @hannahsdrawings8664 Před 2 lety

    amazing tree

  • @billyboy17ify
    @billyboy17ify Před 3 lety +1

    I hope they used the wood around the town for benches, sculptures ect to celebrate there towns history and the trees history

  • @denvernugg1151
    @denvernugg1151 Před rokem +4

    shouldn't of felled the trunk from 3:52. 600 year old tree couldn't give t 5 years see what it does?... i bet that would of re-gen

    • @CallMeNumber8
      @CallMeNumber8 Před rokem +1

      They are deliberately killing all glorious trees in every country on earth right now. Elite is doing it deliberately. Our God is trees. God is trees. Book is a fake. True God is trees. Just look at the trees in your own city. Look at branches. How badly they trim them. How they remove the crown of trees. They are killing living trees.

  • @neilbennett9281
    @neilbennett9281 Před rokem +1

    You didn’t sculpt the trunk of the tree. What a lost opportunity.

  • @kbkesq
    @kbkesq Před 2 lety

    “The best time to plant a tree is 600 years ago.”

  • @LuigiCotocea
    @LuigiCotocea Před 4 lety +1

    How they gonna remove the stump?

  • @nymanontwoeighteen7948
    @nymanontwoeighteen7948 Před 4 lety +2

    the sadness of the rotten metropolitan world surrounding it's stationary enslavement killed that tree

  • @chiefakecheta2645
    @chiefakecheta2645 Před 3 lety +3

    I have an oak in my backyard about that size

  • @alexanderclarke8449
    @alexanderclarke8449 Před 3 lety +1

    Why do I have a tear... we need to live different lives. Things aren’t right these days

  • @americansfirst1095
    @americansfirst1095 Před měsícem +1

    Did the tree die? ......or did some do-gooders decide it was "dangerous" and just cut it down?

  • @scottprather5645
    @scottprather5645 Před 4 měsíci

    I hope they mill it into some table tops and lumber. Another way that the tree's history can live on.
    That's what they did with an iconic oak here in San Diego that had to be cut down made it into tables and furniture guitar very beautiful wood.

  • @modernmiderntown3241
    @modernmiderntown3241 Před 3 lety

    I saw a giant old tree a few years ago, I don’t know if that’s the same one

  • @creatednordestroyed5339

    very cool.

  • @ugtitto2654
    @ugtitto2654 Před 2 lety +1

    Imagine the amount CO2 this magnificent giant has sequestered during its lifetime... Now it's all released back into the atmosphere. If only trees could live forever

  • @drummerboy0626
    @drummerboy0626 Před 5 lety

    I love oaks in New England.

  • @kdeloris2225
    @kdeloris2225 Před 3 lety +1

    They said they had to cut the tree down because it had died and it was causing a health problem to the community yet they allow people to get parts of that dead tree and take it with them. I think they just didn't want the tree anymore

  • @hedycampbell586
    @hedycampbell586 Před 2 lety +1

    This is not about about the life of this tree, but about it's torturous demise.

  • @chiefakecheta2645
    @chiefakecheta2645 Před 3 lety +2

    Why would you cut it down

  • @indomitusEvehementis
    @indomitusEvehementis Před 2 lety

    Missed a great opportunity to petrify it instead of cutting it down.

  • @tigerblanc4624
    @tigerblanc4624 Před 3 lety +2

    I did not understand why the tree was cut down

  • @Alastor-1929
    @Alastor-1929 Před 3 lety

    Why they cut IT down???

  • @alexlechef2
    @alexlechef2 Před 4 lety +1

    If cut, dosent oak trees regrow from sprout? By the roots?

    • @happity
      @happity Před 4 lety +4

      A lot of trees will regrow from the roots, if the roots are alive. This tree looks certified dead.

  • @ezragonzalez8936
    @ezragonzalez8936 Před 2 lety +1

    Sad to see it go but it live to its upper limits 600 years even for a White Oak is extremely old and rarely do they live past 500! Its sampling will be there for another 500 years!

  • @SimonNowak
    @SimonNowak Před 3 měsíci +1

    Who and how decided the tree is dead?

  • @vincentzuhowsky3076
    @vincentzuhowsky3076 Před 3 lety +1

    Looked pretty sturdy not rotted out

  • @TruthHurts2u
    @TruthHurts2u Před rokem +1

    Couldn't they have carved a statue or built something out of the old oak?

  • @dallyh.2960
    @dallyh.2960 Před rokem

    It's weird I knew instantly the pastor and mayor were a pastor and a mayor the second they started talking. These professions have very particular ways of speaking