In Hilltown, a revered natural icon, the Penn Oak, which had stood for centuries in front of the Hilltown Baptist Church, met its end, writes Carl LaVo for the Bucks County Courier Times. 

Known as the last of the so-called Penn Oaks in Bucks County, this historic tree witnessed the unfolding of local history since William Penn’s era. 

The oak, with a massive 23-foot circumference, had been a protective sentinel over the church and its adjacent graveyard.  

However, its fate was sealed three years ago when a violent thunderstorm tore away two of its colossal limbs, raising concerns about its survival. 

Despite the damage, the Penn Oak continued to stand tall.  

Tragically, a recent report confirmed the Penn Oak’s demise, marking the end of an era for the Hilltown community.  

Its loss is felt deeply, not only as an ecological loss but as a vanishing link to the past. 

Read more about the life and legacy of the Penn Oak in Hilltown in the Bucks County Courier Times.  

Tree Talk: White Oak