Saying Goodbye to a Landmark: The Story Behind the Removal of Mt. Pleasant Winery’s Historic Pecan Tree

Some trees become part of a landscape.

Others become part of a community.

For generations of visitors to Mt. Pleasant Winery in Augusta, Missouri, a towering pecan tree standing in the center of the winery’s patio was exactly that—a beloved landmark that provided shade, beauty, and character to one of Missouri’s most recognizable winery destinations.

Estimated to be nearly 100 years old, the massive tree stood approximately 100 feet tall with an 80-foot canopy spread and an 80-inch trunk. It wasn’t just a tree. It was part of the experience.

Which is why the decision to remove it was one that neither Mt. Pleasant Winery nor Hansen’s Tree Service took lightly.

Mt. Pleasant Winery’s Historic Pecan Tree, A Tree Worth Saving

Several years ago, concerns began to emerge about the tree’s structural stability.

The trunk had split into three separate sections, creating significant stress throughout the tree. At the same time, its root system had become compromised due in part to the challenging conditions associated with growing in the center of a heavily used patio area.

Importantly, the tree was not diseased.

“The tree was not diseased,” said Dan Baker, Chief Operations Officer for Hansen’s Tree Service. “Its problems were associated with its location.”

Rather than recommending immediate removal, Hansen’s worked with the winery to preserve the tree for as long as safely possible.

In 2024, Hansen’s installed an extensive dynamic cabling system designed to stabilize the tree and reduce the forces contributing to the ongoing cracking within the trunk.

“The dynamic cabling system we installed and then maintained was extensive and managed to support the tree for as long as possible,” Baker said. “We knew from the outset that in this situation, dynamic cabling would not be able to serve as a permanent solution.”

For nearly two years, the system successfully slowed the progression of the damage and helped extend the life of the tree.

When Safety Becomes the Priority

Despite those efforts, the tree’s condition continued to deteriorate.

The cracking within the trunk gradually worsened, and the tree began dropping branches and limbs onto the patio below. As a precaution, portions of the patio had to be closed to protect guests and staff.

For Mt. Pleasant Winery, the situation became increasingly difficult.

“We loved that tree and the last thing any of us wanted was to see it taken down,” said Tom Fuchs, General Manager of the Augusta Wineries. “It provided an amazing amount of shade and created just a beautiful environment for our guests to enjoy.”

But eventually, the risks became impossible to ignore.

“The safety of our guests is our priority,” Fuchs said. “As much as we wanted to avoid losing the tree, there was no other safe option.”

According to Baker, the tree had reached a point where leaving it standing presented an unacceptable risk.

“The tree’s condition slowly worsened and we reached that point where it was just too dangerous to leave in place,” he said.

A Complex Removal

Removing a tree of this size is never a simple task.

Standing 100 feet tall and surrounded by patios, structures, and heavily visited public spaces, the pecan tree required a carefully planned removal process.

“This was a beast of a tree,” Baker said. “The Mt. Pleasant people loved that tree, and they did everything possible to save it. But when you’re dealing with a tree this size, it can be a serious threat to people and property.”

To safely dismantle and remove the tree, Hansen’s brought in a 60-ton crane with a 128-foot reach. Sections of the tree were carefully secured, cut, and lifted away piece by piece, eliminating the risk of large limbs or trunk sections falling onto the patio or nearby buildings.

The operation was completed safely and efficiently in just a few hours.

“The removal went exactly according to plan with no problems,” Baker said.

While the project was notable because of the tree’s size and location, Baker noted that Hansen’s regularly handles removals of this scale and even larger projects in challenging environments throughout the region.

Honoring the Tree’s Legacy

While the tree itself is gone, its story isn’t over.

At the winery’s request, Hansen’s left a 12-foot section of the trunk standing. The remaining stump will be transformed into a carving of a Great Horned Owl, the symbol of the City of Augusta.

The sculpture will serve as both a tribute to the historic tree and a reminder of the role it played in the winery’s landscape for nearly a century.

For everyone involved, the project represented the end of a chapter rather than just another tree removal.

“While we had to remove the tree, none of us here at Hansen’s likes to see a mature, beautiful tree like this one taken down,” Baker said.

In this case, every effort was made to preserve the tree for as long as possible. When removal became the only responsible option, it was carried out with the same care and professionalism that had guided its preservation.

And thanks to the owl that will soon stand in its place, a piece of the tree’s legacy will continue welcoming visitors to Augusta for years to come.