Historic Legacy Under Threat: How Hillsdale Rallied to Save a 17-Decade-Old Tree
photo courtesy of the Hillsdale Environmental Commission
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hillsdale NJ, a majestic white oak tree, estimated to have sprouted around 170 years ago—before the start of the U.S. Civil War—has narrowly escaped the chopping block in Hillsdale. The ancient tree, located outside the George G. White Middle School, was slated for removal to make way for a parking lot and a retention pond as part of a massive $62 million school renovation project.
Thanks to a passionate public outcry and decisive action from local officials, the district is now working on a complete redesign to save the irreplaceable tree for future generations.
The Fight to Preserve a Piece of Bergen County History
The tree’s age was estimated during an Arbor Day event last year when students measured its circumference. Mayor Michael Sheinfield noted that the tree is likely one of the oldest in the area and, being in “very good health,” could potentially live for another two centuries.
However, the tree’s fate was sealed in August when the Environmental Commission learned the massive oak was scheduled for removal to accommodate accessibility parking and stormwater basins required by the extensive middle school improvements.
Neighbors quickly mobilized, launching two separate petitions that garnered hundreds of signatures, sending a clear message to the Ramsey Board of Education and borough officials: The tree must be saved.
The Environmental Value: More Than Just Heritage
While the tree’s historical value is undeniable, its continued existence is also a critical factor in the borough’s environmental defense.
- Flooding Defense: Environmental Commission Chairman Fred Rubel stressed that large, older trees are a main defense against the flooding that has become common in the area. Their huge canopies slow down rain runoff, and their root systems absorb massive amounts of water, especially in the springtime. This makes them an important sustainability factor against rising stormwater runoff.
- Carbon & Oxygen: According to one petition, a tree of this size can store an estimated 4 tons of carbon and produce enough oxygen annually to support two to four people.
Redesigning for Resilience
After the public outcry, Superintendent Robert Lombardy commissioned an arborist inspection in October, which confirmed the oak was in “very good health.” Lombardy then asked the district’s civil engineer to look into a complex redesign that would preserve the tree.
Mayor Sheinfield confirmed the effort: “It wasn’t a simple matter… They had to move some things around, and Mr. Lombardy was willing to do that.” Officials expect a feasibility decision within the next few weeks.
If the redesign is successful, Rubel hopes the tree can be nominated for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Big and Heritage Tree program, ensuring its legacy is formally protected and recognized.
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