MoCo’s Mighty Oak Falls

Montgomery County’s legendary white oak tree – the Linden Oak – was cut down on Tuesday morning in front of an audience of mournful residents.

The tree was the largest white oak in Montgomery County (83 feet high by 246 inches around) and was so significant that it altered the path of Metro's Red Line construction in the ‘70s.

The Linden Oak died last year at over 300 years old. It was said to be a seedling 25 years before George Washington was even born. Sadly, the trunk was rotting and needed to be cut down to avoid being a safety hazard.

All that’s left is a 20-foot stump of one of the country's most historic trees. However, local wood carver Colin Vale will use the wood from the tree to make a bench for Montgomery County parks to pay homage to the tree’s legacy.