Fleetwood troop visits the Sacred Tree in Oley

Girl Scout Cadette Troop 11096 from Fleetwood had expert help from Berks County Master Gardeners Marianne Lubenow, Mim Garey and Ellen Weaver (a former Girl Scout) in helping them earn the Tree badge. The troop went to Oley for a visit to the Sacred Oak, a 600- to 700-hundred-year-old yellow oak, with a 22 feet 6 inch circumference, which was measured by the troop.The girls had a moment of silence for those in need of healing.The tree is believed to have healing powers and was a tradition performed by the first residences of the area, the Lenni Lanape tribe. Land owner Rachel Theis surprised the girls with an impromptu visit and history on the Sacred Oak and various tree mythologies and stressed the respect she expects from those who come on her property to take in the magnificent beauty of the tree.

Submitted by Linda Yuengel, Fleetwood Girl Scouts.