The Sacred Oak
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The Sacred Oak is a more than 300 year old Chinkapin Oak located in the Oley Valley, Pennsylvania. It sits in a grove of trees just off Friedensburg Road.
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[edit] The Legend of the Sacred Oak
According to Native American legend a beautiful woman, the wife of a powerful chief became very ill. All the tribes medicine men were called in, they "pow-wowed" and administered herbal medicines, but all had no effect. Slowly chief's wife became weaker and sicker. Finally desperate for a cure the young chief traveled to the Sacred Oak and there prayed to the Great Spirit for his wife to be saved. Amazingly when he returned to camp his wife was well again. Several years went by and the young chiefs tribe was threaten by a hostile tribe. Once again the chief traveled to the Sacred Oak and prayed to the Great Spirit. As he prayed the Great Spirit came and gave him guidance. The chief gathered blankets and beads and journeyed the camp of the enemy. His gifts were accepted and before he left he smoked the pipe of peace with the chief of the other tribe. From then on the Sacred Oak was looked upon as the shrine tree of the Delaware Indians. They went to the Sacred Oak in times of trouble to pray and legend has it that help was always given to them.
[edit] The Sacred Oak Today
Today the Sacred Oak still grows in a forested area just off Friedensburg Road in Oley. In the past people were allowed to visit the tree but now the land is considered private property and is off limits to visitors. The land that tree is located on was recently sold to a new owner who has begun raising money to help preserve the Sacred Oak. Recently the leader of the Lenape Nation Council, Chief Gentlemoon and 25 other people held a ceremony to revitalize the tree. Work has now begun on trimming all the deadwood out of the tree to help it continue to grow. The wood is being used for a variety of things including being made into pens by a local craftsmen and Native Amerericans all over the country. The Sacred Oak is currently the biggest tree in Berks County and is on Pennsylvania Register of Large Trees.
[edit] Dimensions of the Sacred Oak
Height: 73 feet
Girth: 21 feet 2 inches
Spread: 118 feet
Age: 300+ years old
[edit] References
"The Sacred Oak of Oley". Reading Eagle. 7 September 2006. p.A1
"In Legend, Indians Blessed By sacred tree". Reading Eagle. 7 September 2006. p.A2
"Words of hope for Oley Twp. oak". Reading Eagle. 28 January 2007 p.B1
