Citizens aim to save Milton pecan tree

Despite gray, wet conditions, about 25 people gathered in Milton Nov. 22 in an effort to save a historic pecan tree at the corner of Route 16 and Union Street Extended that is slated to be felled for a new Royal Farms at the site.

Local photographer Kevin Fleming helped organize the protest.

“I’ve seen this tree for a long time, and when I realized they were going to tear it down, that’s when I decided to try to do something about it,” he said.

Fleming said more than 800 people have signed a petition to save the tree. When the petition reached 500 signatures, he said he sent a copy to Royal Farms, Delaware Department of Transportation and Gov. Matt Meyer’s office.

“Nobody else was doing anything,” he said. “And if somebody didn’t do something, the tree was doomed.”

He said he has tried reaching out to DelDOT about the tree but has not received any response.

One issue is whether the pecan tree is one of the largest in Delaware.

“The State of Delaware maintains a publication listing the largest specimen of each tree species,” said Mayor John Collier. “Within the corporate limits of Milton, several specimens are documented; however, none are pecan trees. Although the pecan located at 100 Milton-Ellendale Hwy. is notably large, it is not the largest pecan specimen within the town and it too is situated on private property."

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.