But the huge copper beech was discovered to have a terminal disease 6 months ago, and its odds of survival are not great.
People in Westwood, Bergen County, are not giving up on the special tree.
The tree has stood tall near downtown Westwood, watching the town grow and change.
By estimates, the tree is anywhere from 168 to 252 years old, which means it lived during the Civil War and was possibly growing before the death of the nation's first president.
Now, a strange disease may seal its demise.
"It is a beloved tree in Westwood. Everybody knows of the kissing tree, not only in Westwood, but surrounding towns," Borough Administrator Durene Ayer said.
A sign of brittle cider fungus was discovered during an annual inspection of the tree.
"It's in the environment already and that's why trees are susceptible to this," Arborist Liz Stewart said.
The tree has markings of romance with initials etched into its bark.
"The lure is from the 1940s that people from the high school, which is down the street on Third Avenue, would come and, you know, have their first kiss under the tree," Westwood Council Member Erin Collins said.
The silver lining is that the tree has gotten so much attention that it's getting added to the National Register and the State Register.
The seedlings have been collected and will be planted in other areas because the soil under the current location of the tree may be contaminated.
The tree has been deemed one of the oldest in the state, and the hope is that it will be around for next year's holiday celebration and then will come down in 2027.
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