A wooden bowl made from a broken limb of the historic Birthing Tree has made its way to Magness Library. The tree lost a large limb in September 2009. Since then, William Love of Manchester has fashioned seven bowls from the limb.
The tree, estimated to be between 200 and 400 years old, is registered on the National Tennessee Landmark and Historic Tree Registry. Landmark trees must be commonly recognized as an established and familiar feature of the community, confirmed as a significant part of the community’s heritage, or planted to commemorate special events or community leaders more than 50 years ago.
The bowl made by Love was presented to the Magness Library by members of the McMinnville Garden Club for permanent display. Love and his wife, Lois, presented the bowl to the Coffee County/ Manchester/ Tullahoma Museum, Inc. Arrowheads/ Aerospace Museum, who in turn presented it to the garden club.
“It is a wonderful addition to the library because it is local history,” said library director Brad Walker. “It is a local legend. It will be where everyone can see it in the front room. We are thrilled to have it.”
Most of the bowls made from the Birthing Tree limb have been sold in a silent auction as a fundraiser for Warren County Heritage Alliance.
Love has made several bowls and covered boxes throughout the years from all kinds of wood, including oak, maple, cherry and walnut.