‘So beautiful’: Community hosts farewell celebration for historic 250-year-old tree
By Braden Bates
Click here for updates on this story
KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KSHB) — Not many things are able to live more than two and a half centuries. However, a tree is being celebrated for its longevity and historic roots as the community prepares to say goodbye.
Community members came together Saturday, Dec. 6, to honor the tree’s legacy.
Frank the Liberty Tree has stood tall in Kansas City since way before our city or state even got their names. It even lived before our nation was founded.
The tree got its name, Frank, from a previous owner of the property where Frank stands.
For some, it may look like any old tree; every year it drops its leaves during the fall and regenerates back in the spring.
However, the burr oak tree is far from being any old tree. It earned a special recognition from the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1976, in celebration of the United States bicentennial. This recognition dedicated the oak as a Liberty Tree.
The Liberty Tree recognition was given to trees alive before 1776, the year the U.S. was founded, according to the Missouri Conservationist.
The tree has lived through many monumental events.
“This tree is pre-Revolutionary War. It’s pre-Louisiana Purchase. It is pre-Civil War, pre-World War I, World War II. All of these incredible things have happened in the world,” said KC Council Member Crispin Rea. “Although probably not much happened right here 250 years ago, other than a bird dropped a seed that turned into this magnificent tree.”
Frank the Liberty Tree will be cut down at the beginning of next year.
“Unfortunately, due to root fungus, we will have to take him down for safety reasons,” said organizer Crystal Beasley.
Beasley said while it’s sad to see a historic tree like this go, she can’t help but think about the centuries of memories it created.
“Thank you to 250 years of giving shade, legacy and protection for this community,” Beasley said.
Diana Wilson and her daughter attended the farewell celebration to see the tree and take in its stature.
“It’s brought me to tears. There’s just a majesty and a presence,” Diana Wilson said.
Angela French said the tree offers a glimpse into history, taking a photo to further preserve Frank’s legacy.
“To realize you’re just a grain of sand in time and, you know, just the small moment of getting to cherish and honor the life that it’s had, it’s just really phenomenal,” French said.
The gathering was marked with a champagne and sparkling cider toast, a celebration of life for Frank the Liberty Tree.
French said in a way, the tree acted sort of like a giving tree.
“You know, it’s just the Shel Silverstein story,” French said. “That legacy of the tree and the story and how many, what it gave to so many different people. It just kind of makes me think of that.”
The owner of the tree, Jessica Thomas, said she moved into the house in August and didn’t realize she’d inherited the historic gem. When she learned of its possible disease, she reached out to the Department of Conservation to see what to do.
With few options on ways to treat the fungus, the department said the tree would have to be cut down.
The company behind the tree’s removal has plans to save pieces. Those at the event were able to sign up to get a piece after the tree is removed.
The cost of removing Frank is on the owners. Beasley set up a GoFundMe to help with the cost of the removal.
This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.