Basking Ridge Oak Tree Fund

PLEASE NOTE:

On March 6, 2017 this campaign had to be reset due to GoFundMe technical issues. Over 70 donations have been made to date totalling $2,450. This campaign is the continuation of the first campaign. 


A quick update:  FOR ANYONE WHO HAS DONATED OR DONATES, please send your email to [email redacted] . This system does not share emails but we'd like to forward you a personal thanks from the church and THSSH once the campaign closes.

The campaign will close June 20, 2017, so please consider donating.

We took the attached video on 4/24/2017, the first day of the dismantling of the historic oak tree in Basking Ridge. We hope you'll consider joining the community and making a donation to the Oak Tree Project that has now surpassed $50,000 in expenses.

The historic oak tree at the center of Basking Ridge, New Jersey has adorned the Basking Ridge community for what is estimated to be over 600 years. Recognized as possibly the oldest white oak in North America, it comes with tremendous sadness that the time has come where the iconic landmark will soon no longer be standing. And we need your help!



Community Outreach

The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills (THSSH), is sponsoring this GoFundMe fundraiser campaign named the “Basking Ridge Historic Oak Project”- to help the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church preserve the history of the tree and provide financial support.

“The Basking Ridge Historic Oak Project is more than just a church responsibility. This historic oak tree is a community icon and is our community’s responsibility to support the tree that has given so much to all of us over the past 600 years,” said Brooks Betz, Trustee at The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills, who’s organization created the online campaign. Donations will help the church offset the incredible expense to dismantle, preserve and honor the legacy of the historic oak in the future.

ALL Donations Go ONLY To the Tree Fund

ALL donations to the GoFundMe campaign will be placed in a dedicated account for The Basking Ridge Historic Oak Project. The disbursement from this fund will be overseen by the Church Trustees responsible for executing this specific project. All donations are tax deductible and also qualify for corporate matching.

According to officials at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, they have been quoted the costs of the project to prune, dismantle, and store the limbs will be in excess of $40,000. The reason for such a high cost is there is a Revolutionary War cemetery surrounding the tree that cannot be disturbed. Each limb needs to be carefully cut, tied, and craned off to the street, and then eventually trucked and placed in storage for future use.


The Historical Society is Proud to Support

The local historical society has been promoting and preserving history in the Basking Ridge area since 1928. “The Historical Society’s goal is to preserve and promote our local history and we are honored to be a community partner with the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Churn to make the Basking Ridge Historic Oak project a historic community effort,” said Betz. “We really felt it important that the community get involved and help the church with this effort. It’s really a community effort and we can’t be more proud to help.”

Also visit for news and event updates:
 www.baskingridgeoaktree.org