City assumes ownership of Birthing Tree
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Physician R.P. Sabo has purchased the property and plans to construct a dialysis center for kidney patients. But Sabo has given the city the portion of the land that contains the Birthing Tree as long as the tree is alive.
“I’m a new resident here but I already know the significance of the Birthing Tree,” said Sabo, who has relocated to Warren County from New Mexico. “It is our intent to build a state-of-the-art dialysis center in the shadow of the Birthing Tree so people who need our services don’t have to go out of town.”
Dr. Wally Bigbee told of the tree’s history, which dates back to conflicts between Indians and European settlers. When the Indians were driven from their land to west of the Mississippi River beginning in the 1830s, the Birthing Tree was a common stopping point, so the story goes.
“It’s been said that seven Indian groups went by land and that all seven went through Warren County,” said Bigbee. “Often they made the trip without tents and shelter.”
It was that lack of shelter, legend has it, that made the Birthing Tree an enticing spot. Indians were said to have stopped there and even given birth under the tree.
McMinnville’s Department of Urban Forestry is in charge of taking care of the tree, which is one of 37 in the state recognized on the Tennessee Landmark and Historic Tree Register. Urban forester Nick Kuhn said his department will be mulching and mowing around the tree, as well as trimming it.
Preacher Andy Gay played guitar and sang a song about the Birthing Tree. He pointed to River Park Hospital across the street and said, regardless of history, the miracle of birth is taking place today almost beneath the Birthing Tree.
“If you look through the leaves, you can see the sign that says birthing center,” said Gay. “That’s close enough for me.”
The Birthing Tree ceremony will be broadcast on WCPI 91.3 FM this Monday at 5:30 p.m. and then again Wednesday at 2:03 p.m.