The Sparta White Oak Timelines

The colossal 370-year-old white oak that lives at the Van Kirk Homestead in Sparta, New Jersey started as a fragile sapling in the year 1650.

Just like Red from the WishTree, our heritage tree witnessed the passage of time and the transformation of America. From its comfortable perch beside a beautiful little farmhouse, our white oak has observed the community since before the United States was even a country!

Our tree watched the Lenape Indians walk along old hunting trails, Dutch settlers carving wagon tracks in the clay and commuters create neatly arranged suburbs. Our tree celebrated with us in victories, consoled us in defeat, gave us shelter if we needed it and shaded us in the heat.

Let’s look at the timelines and imagine all the stories our white oak could share with us if we only dared to ask.