The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry catalogs trees of noteworthy size, age, and historical significance into an official register. It is because of this register that we know the Garden State is home to a handful of trees that predate the formation of our nation. While we've lost a few icons in recent years, including the 500-year-old Salem Oak, several trees from centuries ago survive.

Address: 1199 Route 519, Hope, New Jersey, 07844

Methuselah, recognized as the oldest tree in the world, is a 4,851-year-old Great Basin bristlecone pine that can be found in California.

While we can't compete with that, we have been home to at least two trees that were nearly 600 years old - the aforementioned Salem Oak and the Bernards Oak.

Pictured is the Salem Oak which stood on the grounds of the Friends Burial Ground for centuries. It is said that John Fenwick treatied with Native Americans beneath its branches. Sadly, the tree toppled in 2019.The Bernards Oak, also known as the George Washington Oak, was chopped down after it was found to be dead. Formerly located on the grounds of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church in Bernards, legend says that George Washington once had a picnic under the tree with the Marquis de Lafayette. Both trees live on, with their seeds growing in our state.

While the George Washington Oak is no more, we still have the George Washington Sycamore. It can be found on the grounds of the Swayze Inn Farm in Hope.

Also known as the Buttonball Tree, the 400-year-old oak has a notable history. On July 26, 1787, General George Washington was traveling from Philadelphia to Newburgh, New York. He traveled with the Moravian Bishop John Etwein of Hope Village. It was in Hope that the pair decided to stop for some rest and respite from the sweltering sun. It is believed that under this ancient tree is where they found their shade.

You can see the 23-foot-tall tree from route 519 in Hope. You can also contact the farm if you're in the market for sheep - they're award winning heritage sheep breeders. They even adopted Stonecroft Rambo from the Philadelphia Zoo!

Other historic trees in New Jersey that predate the Revolutionary War include the Belvidere Shoe Tree (near 711 Oxford Street) and Forrest Gump (at Duke Farms in Hillsborough).

The Belvidere Shoe Tree got its name as it's where locals left their shoes before heading into a nearby church. As for Forrest Gump, he's got a great home - Duke Farms is believed to be home to 4 of the 10 oldest trees in New Jersey.

Are you a tree person? I've always been fascinated by the history of ancient trees...to see what they've seen. Of course, they're also quite pretty!