02/24/2026
I recently visited Frank, the Liberty tree in Kansas City, a bur oak designated in 1976 during the US bicentennial for its historical significance as a tree standing before the nation's founding. Unfortunately, the massive tree's death and decay posed a risk to nearby residences. The photographs do not do justice to the tree's size, which was 5.5 feet in diameter near the trunk. According to the owner, an arborist's evaluation suggested the tree was at least 280 years old, the oldest known in Kansas City. I collected some of the tree's remains, including branches and burls, with plans to create coasters and other items to commemorate the USA's 250th anniversary. For those in the local area with access to transportation and loading equipment, substantial sections of the tree are still available.
