Salem Oak Planting

On Monday, April 26, DPW head John Snyder and Environmental Commission Chair Paul Tarlowe planted a seedling from the historic Salem Oak in the township's Cafferata Park. The Salem Oak was a rare surviving tree from the original forest in Salem County. A treaty was signed under the tree in 1675 with the native Lenape inhabitants of the area. The seedling was grown from an acorn gathered by the State Forest Service beneath the more than 500 years old white oak before it unexpectedly fell in June, 2019. 

 

We now await the first buds to open; you can visit the seedling, protected by storm fencing, near the baseball field backstop. Hopefully this seedling will thrive and eventually provide shade and beauty to our park and enjoyment to all who visit.

 

Photos/Captions: 

john snyder and oak.jpg - John Snyder pauses while planting the Salem Oak Seedling

seedling1200.jpg - Watered, mulched, and ready for fencing

seedling_fenced.jpg - Snow fencing will protect the seedling from deer, mowing and other disturbances.

Seedling Progress As of May 12, 2021