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Princeton arborist spotlights 275‑year‑old Washington Oak and the town’s care plan
Summary
Princeton municipal arborist Taylor Sapudar describes the Washington Oak — a Quercus alba with an estimated 60‑inch DBH and nearly 100‑foot spread — and says crews monitor the tree, remove large dead wood, and provide supplemental feeding to maintain its health.
Taylor Sapudar, Princeton’s municipal arborist, stood beneath the town’s Washington Oak and described a tree the town preserves as both a natural landmark and a piece of local history. “This white oak is nearly 275 years old,” Sapudar said, adding that the tree measures about a 60‑inch diameter at breast height and has a crown spread of nearly 100 feet.
The oak, a Quercus alba located on Millet’s Hill adjacent to the Washington Oaks neighborhood off Route 206, is recognized by the International Society of Arboriculture and the Tree Care Industry Association as dating to about 1787, Sapudar said. The arborist also relayed local lore that the British first saw Gen. George Washington’s army from this spot before the Battle of Princeton.
Sapudar said the town’s approach is monitoring and routine care rather than extensive intervention. “What we like to do with these historical trees is just really monitor it,” he said. He described crews removing large dead wood as needed and providing supplemental feeding throughout the year to keep the tree healthy.
The message was informational rather than a request for formal action: Sapudar described the tree’s dimensions, species, and care regimen and did not announce any planned policy measures, funding changes, or permits related to the tree.
The Washington Oak remains a maintained landmark in Princeton; Sapudar emphasized continued monitoring and routine maintenance as the primary means of preservation.
