'Under The Great Oak' Documentary To Be Screened In Bedminster

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — "Under the Great Oak," a documentary celebrating the life of Basking Ridge's historic 600-year-old tree, will be screened at The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster.

The feature-length documentary about the 600-year-old oak tree was completed by township local and screenwriter Michael Reynolds. (See Related: Film Preserving Memory Of Basking Ridge's Ancient Oak Completed)

The film illustrates the impact the tree had on the community through interviews and the Great Oak Art Celebration, which brought together artists and members of the community to honor the tree and its place in history.

The tree was possibly the oldest white oak tree in the country and was taken down on April 24, 2017 after it died over the summer in 2016 despite efforts of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church to preserve it.

• See Related: Tears Flow As 600-Year-Old NJ Tree Is Being Cut Down
• See Related: Basking Ridge's 600 Year Old Ancient Tree Has Died

There are two screenings on Saturday, Aug. 3, at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The screenings will also include a live performance by Gordon Thomas Ward, whose music is featured in the film, and an informative panel discussion by the team that made the documentary.

Moderated by Dana Reynolds, the documentary’s Executive Producer, the panel includes Sean Kirby (Editor of Under the Great Oak), Dr. Tom Ombrello (Senior Professor of Biology at Union County Community College), Michael Reynolds (Filmmaker), musician Gordon Thomas Ward, and Sue Zibelli (Trustee of The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills).

Net proceeds will be donated from the screenings to support the Historic Tree Grove at the Union County College campus, the organization that grew the sapling that now stands at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, grown from an acorn from the great oak. (See Related: 'Son' Of 600-Year-Old New Jersey Tree Planted In Basking Ridge)

Tickets to the screenings are $10 each and can be purchased online by clicking here.

For more information on the film follow Under the Great Oak on Facebook @UndertheGreatOak or visit greatoakmovie.com.

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