The Birthing Tree will get the care it needs after the most recent damage to some of its limbs. McMinnville officials voted to pay Cortese Tree Specialist $1,900. Finance Committee members Aldermen Ken Smith, chairman, and Mike Neal unanimously voted to pay the requested amount for inspection of the tree and its lightning protection system, as well as to prune the tree and repair any damage found.Smith made the motion for Alderman Ben Newman, who is on the committee but absent from the meeting.“Ben’s recommendation to us is that we allocate the $1,900 to the firm out of Knoxville to come in and stabilize the Birthing Tree,” said Smith.