There’s still time to pay homage to the once majestic oak that predates the founding of Montgomery County.
The 300-year-old tree was scheduled to come down on Wednesday. But now Montgomery Parks must wait for an Historic Area Work Permit before they can topple this witness to local events since 1723.
No date has been announced yet, but it is expected to be cut down later this summer.
The tree is the largest White Oak in Montgomery County. It has been declining in health for several years. Montgomery Parks wants to remove the tree before it falls.
The Linden White Oak stands near the intersection of Beach Drive, Grosvenor Lane and Rockville Pike in North Bethesda.
The tree’s stump will remain as a memorial along with two pre-existing plaques. One plaque commemorates its designation as a Bicentennial Tree. Another celebrates Idamae Garrott who fought to preserve the tree during Metro construction in 1973. Ms. Garrott served on the County Council, in the House of Delegates and the Maryland Senate.
The useable wood will be saved and used for artwork or a bench in a nearby park.
