Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Alexander Mirabella present Dr. Thomas Ombrello, Ph.D with a resolution congratulating and commending him for his work to continue the legacy of the Basking Ridge White Oak Tree. They were joined by Union County College President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.
A Senior Professor of Biology at Union County College, Dr. Ombrello began the historic tree project at the college in 1995, collecting seeds or cuttings of noteworthy historic trees around the New Jersey.
As part of that project, he collected acorns from the historic Basking Ridge White Oak Tree on the grounds of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church as its life came to an end after 600 years. It is believed to have been one of the oldest White Oak trees in America.
On the college’s Cranford campus, Dr. Ombrello of grew progeny of the historic tree.
Union County College recently donated the 16 year old offspring of the deceased Basking Ridge White Oak Tree. It was transplanted from the college to the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church in April.