New Jersey community bids farewell to 600-year-old tree

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A New Jersey community is saying goodbye to what is said to be one of the oldest trees in America. The 600-year-old white oak stood 100 feet tall, towering over an old church graveyard in Basking Ridge.

According to legend, George Washington once had a picnic here.

Last year, the tree was declared dead after it showed signs of rot. Crews began chopping it down on Monday. The task will take two days.

Heartbroken members of the community came out for a farewell ceremony on Sunday and more came on Monday to watch the workers begin to take it down.

The tree's legacy will live on. The community recently planted a new tree, grown from the old tree's acorns.