Davie Poplar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Davie Poplar |
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Davie Poplar in spring 2004
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| Location | McCorkle Place, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
| Established | c. 1650 |
| Website | Davie Poplar |
The Davie Poplar is a very old and famous tree. It is a type of tree called a tulip poplar. You can find it in McCorkle Place on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This special tree is named after William Richardson Davie. He was a general in the American Revolutionary War and helped start the university. The Davie Poplar is thought to be about 300 to 375 years old!
Contents
The Davie Poplar's Story and Legends
How the University Got Its Location
When people were planning the university in 1792, the Davie Poplar was already a huge tree. A popular story says that William Richardson Davie chose the university's spot because he had a nice lunch under this very tree.
However, this story is just a legend. The truth is, a group of six people picked the university's location in November 1792. The tree was later named Davie Poplar by Cornelia Phillips Spencer in the late 1800s. She wanted to remember the popular story.
The Tree's Important Legend
There's a very old and important legend about the Davie Poplar. It says that as long as this tree stands tall, the university will do well. But if the tree ever falls, the university might struggle. Because of this belief, many things have been done to keep the tree safe and healthy.
Keeping the Davie Poplar Safe
Over the years, people have worked hard to protect the Davie Poplar. In 1918, lightning struck the tree, and people worried it was dying. To help, the university used a method called grafting. This is when you join parts of two plants so they grow as one. They grafted a new tree, which they called Davie Poplar Jr. Another Davie Poplar Jr. was planted nearby later.
Even more recently, a tree called Davie Poplar III was planted. This tree grew from a seed of the original Davie Poplar. In 1953, a strong steel band was put around the tree. This band helps attach cables to other trees, giving the Davie Poplar extra support. Its base has also been filled with concrete and carefully trimmed to help it stay upright.
Sharing the Tree's Legacy
In 1993, the university celebrated its 200th birthday. As part of this event, 100 young trees, called seedlings, were grown from the Davie Poplar. These seedlings were given to 100 children across North Carolina's 100 counties. Most of these trees' locations are not known today. However, the seedling for Burke County grows in front of Table Rock Middle School.
In 1996, a big storm called Hurricane Fran caused some damage to the Davie Poplar.
Recent Events at the Tree
On November 2, 2017, a small incident happened at the base of the Davie Poplar. A small fire started, which scorched a part of the tree. A university professor, Dr. Daniel Reichart, quickly helped put out the fire. He had minor injuries from trying to stop the flames.
In 2024, people noticed many chimney swifts using the Davie Poplar as a place to rest. Chimney swifts are birds that often roost in tall, hollow places. This was a special discovery because it's rare to see these birds using large, hollow trees like this anymore. In the past, before many large trees were cut down, these trees were their natural homes.
See also
- List of individual trees
