Washington Oak

Protected ancient tree in the United States

2009

2024

The Washington Oak is a protected ancient white oak tree in Princeton, New Jersey, USA that overlooks the Princeton Battlefield State Park. The International Society of Arboriculture and the Tree Care Industry Association jointly recognize the Washington Oak as having lived at the time of the signing of the United States Constitution in 1787.

## Place in history

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Plaque at the foot of the tree which recognizes the oak's longevity

The Washington Oak, over 275 years old, stands on Millett's Hill[1] where the pivotal Battle of Princeton was ignited in 1777. On the morning of January 3 British Lt. Colonel Charles Mawhood's regiment marched out of Princeton on the Kings Highway (Rt. 206) to reinforce Trenton. But as they approached the top of the hill, Mawhood's men caught sight of General Mercer's forces massing on the other side of the Stony Brook. They reversed direction, recrossed the Brook and engaged the Americans. When Mercer's troops broke, General George Washington, the tree's namesake, rallied them to victory.[2]

## Development pressure

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The tree and its surroundings were the scene of a bitter, protracted dispute between a builder, the Township, and the State over development rights. In 1983 Calton Homes acquired the White Farm which included the Washington Oak. Calton planned to build over 1200 homes on the 124-acre (0.50 km2) property, but Township zoning limited the density of homes, allowing only 40. Calton sued the Township arguing the zoning requirements did not comply with the New Jersey Supreme Court's Mount Laurel rulings which required municipalities to develop affordable housing for low- and middle-income families.[3] This "second battle of Princeton" gathered so much attention that Gov. Thomas Kean referred to it in his 1989 State of the State address, claiming the farm was "threatened by weapons the British never carried" and "what General Howe and his British troops could never do, townhouses ... are poised to do: win a battle over ... New Jersey."[4] Later that year the parties settled, allowing Calton to build 300 properties on 73 acres (300,000 m2) while the preserving the Washington Oak and its nearby meadow as open space.[5] The resulting development, Washington Oaks at Princeton, provides 60 low- and moderate-income condominium units mixed with 240 market-rate single-family detached houses, townhouses, and condominiums.[6]

## See also

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* List of individual trees

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Washington Oak.

## References

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1. ^ Princeton Battlefield sur Flickr : partage de photos !
2. ^ : ten crucial days | the battle of princeton :
3. ^ What British Couldn't Win, Housing Law Conquers - New York Times
4. ^ Excerpts From Address by Kean – New York Times
5. ^ Princeton Township – Open Space Map
6. ^ Using Zoning to Spur Lower-Priced Housing - New York Times

40°19′51″N 74°41′10″W﻿ / ﻿40.3308°N 74.6860°W﻿ / 40.3308; -74.6860

* v
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Princeton, New Jersey

Historic districts|

* Princeton Historic District
* Stony Brook Village
* Jugtown
* King's Highway
* Kingston Mill
* Mountain Avenue

Former municipalities|

* Borough of Princeton
* Princeton Township

Public schools|

* Princeton Public Schools
* Princeton High School
* Witherspoon Street School for Colored Children (defunct)
* Princeton Charter School

Independent schools|

* Hun School
* Lewis School
* Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart
* Princeton Day
* Princeton Friends
* Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science
* St. Paul's
* Stuart Country Day

Colleges and universities|

* Princeton University (people)
* Princeton Theological Seminary
* Westminster Choir College
* Evelyn College for Women (defunct)

Other education|

* Institute for Advanced Study
* Princeton Community Japanese Language School
* Princeton Public Library
* Princeton University Art Museum
* Witherspoon Institute

Places of worship|

* Miller Chapel
* Nassau Christian Center
* Nassau Presbyterian
* Princeton United Methodist
* Princeton University Chapel
* Stone Hill Church
* Stony Brook Meeting House
* Trinity Episcopal

Parks and recreation|

* Delaware and Raritan Canal
* Herrontown Woods Arboretum
* Jasna Polana
* Lake Carnegie
* Marquand Park
* Mountain Lakes Preserve
* Princeton Battlefield

Economy|

* Nassau Street
* Palmer Square
* Elements
* Hoagie Haven
* Nassau Club
* Nassau Inn
* Peacock Inn
* Princeton Record Exchange
* Triumph Brewing
* Princeton Shopping Center
* Tiger Transit

Performing arts|

* Alexander Hall
* Garden Theatre
* McCarter Theatre
* Princeton Symphony Orchestra
* Williamson Voices

Media|

* I Grew Up in Princeton
* Comedy Minus One
* Princeton Community Television
* Princeton Packet
* Town Topics

Other landmarks|

* Albert Einstein House
* Drumthwacket
* Joseph Henry House
* Donald Grant Herring Estate
* Maclean House
* Maybury Hill
* Mercer Oak
* Morven
* Nassau Hall
* Princeton Battle Monument
* Princeton Cemetery
* Princeton Railroad Station
* Prospect House
* Tusculum
* Cottage Club
* Washington Oak
* Westland Mansion

Princeton addressed landmarks
outside the municipality|

* American Boychoir School (defunct)
* Chapin School
* Educational Testing Service
* Forrestal Village
* MarketFair Mall
* Princeton Airport
* Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center (formerly located on Witherspoon Street, now in neighboring Plainsboro)
* Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
* Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
* St. Joseph's Seminary (in Plainsboro; defunct)
* Sarnoff Corporation
* Terhune Orchards
* Washington Road Elm Allée
* Wilberforce School

See also: Princeton University and National Register of Historic Places listings in Mercer County, New Jersey
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