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.
