MUNFORD — Senior citizens decided Wednesday morning to stand up for something they believe in.

It would turn out to be a literal stand, in front of a Stewart pecan tree due to be removed from its location beside town hall, directly opposite the senior center. It was decided that the tree would be cut down, and the seniors weren’t happy about it.

“It’s a landmark, so leave it alone. It’s not hurting anybody,” said Edna Gallahar, a senior who showed up to voice her support.

“They can save the tree or move city hall,” said Agnes Glover, another protester.

The sight that would catch the attention of town representatives was that of the town hall parking lot filled with the oldest residents showing their support for keeping their landmark. At one point there were more than 40 protesters surrounding the tree. They adorned the tree and the building ramp with signs declaring, “Save Our Tree,” and an oversized gold ribbon.

Early observers could spot the organization’s opening devotion under the tree.

The attention was necessary to the residents, as they didn’t want to lose what was a source of pleasure and importance to so many of them. Seniors present expressed their pleasure of picking pecans from the tree. The activity has proved to be a social activity for many of them, as well as a chance to get outside and exercise.

The pecans they pick every year have been used in pies for local bake sales and gifts for friends and family. Some said just getting out there is fun for them, and they have freezers full of pecans.

Nelda Nelson, another protester who also volunteers time at the senior center, was adamant about the tree’s importance to the town. She said it is enjoyed by many families in Munford. She said she’s seen just as many children picking pecans as seniors.

Judith Moon, the senior center’s director, said every one of the seniors was glad to go outside and take a stand.

“The seniors carry a lot of weight, and it’s important to them,” she said.

The event sparked when the Town Council announced at its meeting Tuesday evening that two trees would be removed. The council voted to accept the bid for the removal by Greene Tree Service in Munford.

Council members said Tuesday they voted in favor of the removal because the tree is dropping limbs and sap and is deemed to be a safety hazard. However, many of the people around the tree the next morning viewed the removal as overkill.

“They can just trim it if that’s all it needs. Why do they have to cut it?” Glover asked.

Moon agreed and said the council should pressure wash the building if the tree’s mess was presenting a problem.

Nelson said there had been rumors floating around for a few weeks that the tree might be cut down, but when it was confirmed the previous evening, she decided it was time to take action.

“I’d chain myself to that tree if it came to that,” she said. Although the expression was figurative, her passion was not.

“If they do come to cut it down, I’ll stand by it then, too.”

The tree means more to many of the residents than baking goods and exercise. Several of them said they grew up in the area and maintain fond memories of the tree being a part of their childhoods, as the senior center they visit today was the school they attended in their youths.

At 89, Mildred Camp is one of the town’s oldest residents. She said she loved going to school there, and keeping the area as close to what it was back then helps keep those happy memories fresh.

Sarah Fuller also said she was glad to be part of the protest. Since starting school here in the 1940s, she said it’s just become part of the normalcy of what she’s seen every day for so long. She also said she and a lot of her fellow residents have always enjoyed going out to pick the pecans.

All involved in the protest said the tree’s age and use by the town make it a landmark.

The stand worked, at least for now. Mayor Lynn Swinford said after the protest he had town clerk Tanya Thomas call the other council members to see if they would want to take another vote on cutting it down.

“We’ll rethink it to see if it’s a danger. Right now, we haven’t made a decision, so it’s in limbo for now,” he said.

Swinford said the matter will most likely be addressed at the council’s upcoming work session. He said he hopes to get opinions from all the council members before then.

He said the tree may still be dangerous because of its age.

“More than likely, we’ll just trim it up,” Councilman Lee Garrison said. “Of course, we won’t know until the work session. The important thing is to keep everyone from getting hurt or car damage.”

The other tree the council voted to remove is a papershell pecan tree located in the yard in front of the senior center. This tree was regarded as a bigger safety hazard because areas of the base are rotted and hollow and limbs have fallen from it.

“That other one’s much more of a danger, especially with kids around and the cheerleaders practice under it,” Garrison said. He said he believed the tree had also been struck by lightning at one point.

The overall consensus among the seniors was that the loss of this tree is more acceptable than that of the Stewart pecan tree.

The work session Swinford referred to will take place at town hall on Sep. 15 at 6:30.