A historic pecan tree that was the source of a public protest in November has been felled.

The tree was taken down Jan. 8, as part of future road improvements associated with a new Royal Farms gas station and convenience store at the intersection of Union Street and Route 16.

The large tree was believed to be well over 100 years old. Whether it was one of the largest in the state, town or county is disputed. However, pieces of the tree will be saved.

Andy Gogates, a member of the town’s planning & zoning commission, spoke to town council about the tree Jan. 5. He said he made contact with a tree expert that will be able to cut and dry the tree in exchange for some of the wood. He said he also made contact with a professor at University of Delaware who is willing to analyze the rings. 

Gogates said everyone has volunteered their time at no cost. Right now, he said, his objective is to at least get a piece of the tree that could be displayed somewhere within the town. 

“It didn’t seem appropriate to just cut it down and forget about it,” Gogates said.

In November, a public protest was held to try to save the tree. More than 800 people signed a petition asking for it to be preserved.

Kevin Fleming, who helped organize the protest, said, “Of course, I am heartbroken.”

The planned Royal Farms will include a 4,700-square-foot convenience store and a 5,100-square-foot area for gas pumps with a canopy. The project will also include intersection improvements on both Route 16/Cedar Creek Road and Route 16/Union Street Extended, which include turn lanes, reconfiguring the traffic signal and pedestrian walkways. Entrances to the Royal Farms would be located at Cedar Creek Road and on Route 16. The 7-acre parcel surrounded by the three roads was annexed into Milton in 2020 and was partitioned, with 2 acres for Royal Farms and the remaining 5 acres for a planned office complex, with both businesses sharing an entrance on Cedar Creek Road.