Liberty Tree Removal Sparks Memories and Collaborations

Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

Since the initial announcement last December that Frank — a 250-year-old burr oak known as “the Liberty Tree”— would need to be removed, an outpouring of memories and assistance has embraced the owners during Frank’s final days. In turn, Thomas Harris, Jessica Thomas and Crystal Beasley have welcomed neighbors and visitors to document this tree’s history, height and girth.

During the American Bicentennial in 1976, agents with the Missouri Department of Conservation awarded the status of Liberty Tree to this generations-old tree at 328 S. Monroe. The original certificate has been carefully passed from owner to owner over the years.

Harris, Thomas and Beasley – a friend and property tenant – decided to name the tree “Frank” in honor of the owner named on the certificate, Frank McLaughlin. Following the decades after McLaughlin passed, his daughter Phyllis and her husband Harold Edwards continued to live on the property until health issues forced them to relocate about 10 years ago. Both have since passed also.

In a surprise visit on January 11, Harold Edwards Jr and his wife came by to visit Frank, share memories, and presented Jessica Thomas with the original abstract for the property that his grandparents had received when they bought the building in the 1950’s.

Harold Edwards Jr. and Jessica Thomas review an abstract of the property at 328 S. Monroe.

Thomas and Harris purchased the property last August and found out shortly after that the burr oak was not in good health and for safety concerns would need to be removed.

To remove a tree of that size safely will require a full crew and crane to lower cut sections to the ground. Alpha & Omega Complete Tree Service began work on Wednesday, January 14 and will take several days. The block of 300 S. Monroe may be blocked from traffic while crews are working but viewing from a safe distance will be allowed.

Sections of the trunk and branches will be assessed by Ron Jones, owner of South Side Lumber Co. and Chance Hedrick, owner of Mid-Mo Wood Drying, who offered their services free of charge after learning the story of Frank. They have also arranged for transportation of the salvaged wood to their facilities in Butler, Mo. through trucks owned by Lazer Tow service.

Evergy crews removed branches near power lines on Tuesday, January 12 in preparation for full tree removal.

Products created from Frank’s wood, such as coasters and cutting boards, will be offered for sale to help defray the costs of the removal. A gofundme account (search Frank the Liberty Tree) has raised $1646 of the $8000 goal and visitors have also made cash donations.