Bedford Oak – c. 1500

Corner of Hook Road & Cantitoe Street
A majestic and venerable white oak tree, "Quercus alba" stands at the corner of Hook Road and the old Bedford Road (now Cantitoe Street). It is estimated to be over 500 years old, its girth is more than 30 feet, and the spread of its branches is 130 feet from tip to tip. From the days when Bedford was Native American Territory, through the Revolutionary War and to the present, this noble tree has seen much history.

In 1942 Harold Whitman deeded the ground on which the tree stands to the Town of Bedford, in memory of his wife, Georgia Squires Whitman.  Said Mr. Whitman, "My father taught me to take off my hat whenever I passed what he used to call 'our most venerable citizen.' I do it to this day, as does my son, and I commend it to you. Long may the old oak's proud crest stand in Bedford, a challenge to stability and generosity, so that its qualities may be found always in the character of Bedford citizens."

Then in 1977, 30 acres of land bordering the great tree were sold to a developer. Concerned about encroaching development and the appearance of a bulldozer sitting in the field nearby, residents and the Historical Society quickly formed the Committee to Save the Oak. 426 donations ranging from $1 to $2500 from organizations, businesses and individuals were enough to buy two acres to protect the tree and give it breathing space. The land, along with the money remaining in the fund, was conveyed to the Historical Society who maintains the acreage around the tree and works with the Town's Tree Advisory Board to care for this noble tree and to ensure the preservation of this living monument and cherished symbol to the community.

Read the December edition of Bedford Stories to learn more about The Bedford Oak.

Read the June edition of Bedford Stories to learn how the Bedford Oak was saved in 1977.