Myth & history: Enormous 400-year-old Tulip Poplar central to strange UNC legends

When walking through the grassy McCorkle Place on UNC Campus, you may not immediately notice – but an ancient legend is hidden among the historic buildings.

Centuries old, the Davie Poplar has stood rooted in place far longer than the university itself. It watched as the university grew around it. Over the past 400 years, the antique giant has become a lightning rod for legends.

The antique giant serves as a Silent Witness to the university's history, with generations of students passing beneath its branches on their way to class.

Tulip Poplar trees are fast-growing and can reach over 150 feet in the wild, making them an impressive sight. These massive trees can live for centuries, during which time their trunks can achieve a diameter of up to 10 feet. It would likely take three or four adults stretching their arms wide to fully embrace the trunk's wide circumference.

The eye-catching width and height make the Davie Poplar seem like a guardian or sentinel amid its historic surroundings.

Legends and history: The Davie Poplar at UNC

First of all, let’s take a moment to appreciate just how old UNC is. Established in 1789, it’s technically older than Raleigh, our own capital, established in 1792. It was the first public university in the entire country.

But even before the arrival of UNC's first committee, the Davie Poplar was already impressive and tall – and when William Davie, one of the university's key founders, first wrote the act that signed UNC into existence, the poplar was there to see it.

Thus began the Davie Poplar's first legend, the one that sparked its namesake.

Was the Davie Poplar the reason UNC was built?

One of the earliest legends is that a committee was tasked with finding a location for the new university when they stumbled upon the poplar. The men were wandering through a large wooded area in the 1780s, back when much of that land was still wilderness.

The men knew they wanted to find a spot near the newly-established capital (Raleigh didn’t quite exist yet, but they did know this area, mainly farms and plantations and mills, would become the capital).

Weary and starving, the committee stopped beneath a large tree for lunch in the shade. The group, which included William Davie, dined on food and strong drink and eventually took a nap beneath the tree.

When they awoke, Davie had a spark of inspiration: Wouldn't this spot be the perfect site for a university? They could build it right around this impressive and delightful tree – and the tree could watch generations of students grow.

In honor of Davie’s decision, the tree was nicknamed the ‘Davie Poplar,’ a name it still carries to this day.

But is this legend true?

No. While this story is very romanticized, it's not true. In fact, Davie wasn’t even on that original committee, so the picnic story is merely one of UNC's countless legends, crafted across centuries of students and lore.

In reality, the committee voted to build UNC in that area because of its central location. As they surveyed various options, a man named James Hogg put together a generous offer that offered over 1,000 acres. The Davie Poplar just happened to be part of that land.

If the Davie Poplar falls, will UNC also fall?

The Davie Poplar has another, much darker legend.

Since the tree has been there longer that the university itself, students have passed down a new legend over the years: That if the tree ever falls or dies, the university will collapse.

Because of this legend – and the love for the historic tree – officials have taken great care to protect and preserve this historic tree. Throughout the years, dangers like hurricanes and fires have threatened the historic and legendary tree. To help ensure the continued legacy, the university has planted several other Davie Poplar, Jr. trees from cuttings of the original tree.

In fact, planted alongside the Davie Poplar is Davie Poplar, Jr., which is already over a century old. There are also many other Davie Poplar Jr’s. planted throughout the state. The Cary Tree Archive is one place where offspring of historic trees from around the state are planted and preserved for future generations.

If a couple kisses beneath the Davie Poplar, will they get married?

With a welcoming bench and beautiful foliage, the Davie Poplar truly is the perfect spot for a picnic and a photo opportunity.

One of the tree's more recent legends provides an enticing reason for couples to visit. Legend says if a couple sits on the bench beneath the tree's branches and kisses, they are certain to get married – assured to be each other’s soul mates.

The Davie Poplar is just steps away from another of UNC's famous legends: The Old Well. Dozens of families visit in the springtime to tour the historic grounds, visit the trees and take a sip from the Old Well.

RELATED: Forest Theater: Century-old amphitheater has hidden connections to Lost Colony

Just around the corner from there, another legend of a tragic love story is centered around Gimghoul Castle. Also nearby is the Forest Theater, which has a secret connection to yet another NC mystery: The Lost Colony.

So if you love local legends, bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a day out – and get a little of that UNC magic and history.

Podcast: Want to visit UNC's Davie Poplar?

WRAL's Hidden Historian talks about UNC legends and history with Amanda Lamb. Hear about her own picnic beneath the Davie Poplar and more of the state's hidden history.