Sacred Oak facts for kids

The Sacred Oak Tree with a visitor, showing how big it is!

The Sacred Oak is a very old and special tree in the Oley Valley, Pennsylvania. It's a type of tree called a Chinkapin Oak, and it's more than 500 years old! You can find it growing among other trees near Friedensburg Road.

The Amazing Story of the Sacred Oak

According to Native-American legend, this tree has a powerful history. Long ago, the wife of a strong chief became very sick. Even the best medicine men in the tribe tried to help her, but nothing worked. The chief was very worried.

In his desperation, the young chief went to the Sacred Oak. There, he prayed to the Great Spirit to save his wife. When he returned to his camp, something amazing had happened: his wife was well again!

Years later, the tribe faced another big problem. A hostile tribe threatened them. Once more, the chief went to the Sacred Oak and prayed. The Great Spirit gave him guidance. The chief gathered gifts like blankets and beads and visited the enemy camp. His gifts were accepted, and he smoked a pipe of peace with the other chief. This brought peace between the tribes.

From that day on, the Delaware Indians saw the Sacred Oak as a very important and holy place. They would go to the Sacred Oak in times of trouble to pray, and it's said that help was always given to them.

The Sacred Oak Today

Today, the Sacred Oak still stands tall in a wooded area near Friedensburg Road in Oley Township. In the past, people could visit the tree easily. However, the land is now private property. This change happened to help protect the tree and its surroundings.

The land where the tree grows was recently sold to a new owner. This owner is working hard to raise money to help keep the Sacred Oak healthy and safe for the future.

In 2007, the leader of the Lenape Nation Council, Chief Gentlemoon, held two special ceremonies to help the tree. The tree was given fertilizer, and any dead branches were carefully trimmed. This helps the tree continue to grow strong. The wood from these trimmed branches is being used to make things like pens by local craftspeople and Native-Americans across the country.

The Sacred Oak is currently the biggest tree in Berks County. You can even find it listed on the Pennsylvania Forestry Association's Champion Trees of Pennsylvania website!

Elders from the Lenni Lenape tribe have said that people have respected this tree for over 480 years. The current owner, who knows a lot about plants, believes the tree might be around 700 years old!

The Sacred Oak is on private land. Since at least 2009, it has been open to the public only twice a year. You can find out the dates for public visits on the Sacred Oak Facebook page or by contacting Oley Township.

How Big is the Sacred Oak?

• Height: 73 feet (that's about as tall as a 7-story building!)
• Girth: 21 feet 2 inches (this is how wide the trunk is around – you'd need several people to hug it!)
• Spread: 118 feet (this is how wide the branches reach out from side to side)
• Age: More than 500 years old!

Gallery

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  November 2012

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  The Sacred Oak Tree with visitors, showing its huge size.

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  The Sacred Oak Tree from above.