For an estimated 200 years, a once mighty oak tree flourished next to a sawmill that led the way for the once mighty railroads to crisscross in Richland Village in Buena Vista Township. When time and changes took the life from this tree, it still had a 125-foot wingspan and was over 50 feet high.
Rather than cut the tree down to a simple giant stump, township citizens decided to transform it into something that depicted the township’s history as a contemporary piece of art. With the help of local tree surgeon Gary Heitz and talented chainsaw artist Brian Ackley, the tree monument was born.
The tree was unveiled in 2017 at the official sesquicentennial event for the township’s 150th birthday.
The concept of the tree monument was to allow it to remain standing and be a lasting memorial for its days of glory. The community raised more than $20,000 to complete the project, which included trimming, carving, paving, fencing, and then the planting of seven young white oak trees.
The tree monument, standing 100 feet from the 9/11 monument in the park, contains 40 different carvings that show the past and modern history of Buena Vista Township. It is sometimes known as “New Jersey’s Most Unusual Tree.”
