BRUNSWICK, Ga. -- Spectators gathered as a historic tree in downtown Brunswick that toppled during a storm Monday afternoon was cut up and hauled away.

An estimated 400 years old, the McCullough Oak stood on Union Street downtown before either Union Street or Brunswick existed. Historians believe it was the second-oldest tree in Georgia.

It split in two and came down on a parked car about 5:30 p.m.

Gary Reynolds' 18-year-old daughter saw the tree land on her car.

"It kind of shook the house. (She) ran out and the car was covered by an oak tree," Reynolds said. "It happened about two minutes before she was going to enter the car, so we feel very blessed."

Susan Vendetti said her children grew up playing in its branches.

"I'd have at least two or three cars a day that would stop and pull up and take pictures," said Vendetti, whose house was shaded by the tree. "It was definitely a sight to behold."

Tuesday morning, crews using a crane and other heavy equipment began cutting up and removing the tree.

Vendetti said she will miss the once-living piece of history that graced her front yard.

"It's just a really sad day for us," Vendetti told Channel 4's Vic Micolucci.