Commemorates State’s 375^th Anniversary

Charter Oak is State’s Most Famous White Oak

Gov. M. Jodi Rell today was joined by state Department of Environmental Commissioner Amey Marrella, State Forester Christopher Martin and other environmental advocates at the Governor’s Residence in Hartford to plant a white oak in honor of both Arbor Day and the state’s 375^th Anniversary.

“When we set out to celebrate the 375^th Anniversary of Connecticut we looked at a variety of ways to highlight this milestone. We wanted a chance to celebrate our roots and that is exactly what we are doing with the special tree planting,” the Governor said.

“Arbor Day presented us with the perfect opportunity to celebrate something exquisitely Connecticut – the Charter Oak. The white oak is the state tree and the Charter Oak is the most famous of all. The Charter Oak is part of our identity and our culture and represents the spirit of freedom and liberty that we all embrace,” the Governor said.

The Governor said the story of the Charter Oak is one every schoolchild in Connecticut knows. In 1687, King James II of England sent his agents to take back a charter from colonists who had been granted freedoms 25 years earlier from King Charles. The colonists safely hid the document in a great white oak tree near the banks of the Connecticut River in Hartford and the legend of the Charter Oak was born.

The Charter Oak will also be highlighted this year in a special painting donated by New London artist Mark Patnode, who is donating it to the state in honor of the 375^th Anniversary.

At today’s ceremony, a 15-foot white oak, acquired from Planters’ Choice LLC of Newtown, was planted in south end of the 4.5-acre property of the Governor’s Residence. It has the potential to reach 80 to 100 feet in height and 48 inches in diameter. Some have been known to reach the age of 600 years. In Colonial days, large white oaks with low-extending branches served as key meeting points for townspeople.

A bronze plaque, donated by Farmington businessman Marcel Poulin of Matthews International, is being engraved and will be placed at the base of the tree in the near future.

Governor Rell and other dignitaries launched the 375^th Anniversary on February 17 at the State Library, which houses the fundamental orders and State Constitution. Historians say 1635 was the critical year in Connecticut history because that year marked the settlement of the three river towns – Windsor, Wethersfield and Hartford – that initially established the colony.

Services and items related to the state’s year long 375^th Anniversary celebration are donated or purchased with donated funds. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.  Go to www.CT375.com for more information and to donate. More information on 375^th Anniversary events can also be found at:

• http://twitter.com/Connecticut375
• http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hartford-CT/Connecticuts-375thAnniversary/10150113573780463?ref=ts
• http://www.youtube.com/user/ct375