Look closely...

I have it from a reliable source (speaking on condition of imaginarity) that this is exactly how it went down:

"HEY Charlie com n' look at dis."
"What Ralph?"
"The plans say ta put a road here but ders a tree in where the road s'posed to be goin' in n' you said I gotta put the road by today n' there's a tree where the road should be."
"Well, the plan doesn't have a tree on it."
"Nope, it doesn't."
"...Actually...I don't see a tree. You see a tree?"
"YEAH it's right...ohhhh...no I don' see a tree."
"OK, you just go around that not-a-tree then, ok?"
"OK Chalee."

I also have it from another reliable source (speaking on condition of actually-knowing-ality):

They probably left it there because it's a fine tree, and only a small lane. It may also have some historical significance. At any rate, it gives shade and beauty to the area, and they likely saw no need to destroy a tree in the name of progress.

Who's right? You decide.