One of the most profoundly beautiful spots in North Carolina is also one of the least traveled. That could be due partly to the fact that it’s a swamp and the only way to see the real beauty found in these waters is by way of a kayak or canoe. But Three Sisters Swamp, located in Bladen County, is home to some of the oldest trees in the world, and if you ever get the chance, do take a guided tour. Here’s some of what you’ll find:
Located on the Black River, a tributary of the Cape Fear River, Three Sisters Swamp is home to cypress trees said to have aged 1,600 to as many as 2,500 years old.
But the trail through the swamp isn't easy to negotiate on your own. In some of the deepest and most dense parts of the swamp, the cypress knees and downed trees make passage very difficult. Unless you're a seasoned kayak enthusiast with a penchant for keeping track of where you are, you'll want to take guided tour.
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Dubbed the world's oldest cypress swamp, the trees found here are larger than life itself.
No one knows exactly how the trees have survived the many storms, droughts, floods, and other catastrophic events over time. But some are more than 20 feet in circumference.
According the the Nature Conservancy, an organization dedicated to preserving North Carolina's Black River, the ancient trees were discovered in 1984 by accident when a University of Arkansas professor bored a hole in one of the trees and extracted a cross-section as part of an effort to learn if climate played a part in tree growth rings.
He determined that many of the cypress trees on the Black River are more than 500 years old.
Subsequent testing found the oldest living tree dates back to 364 A.D., according to the Nature Conservancy. However, some experts put the age of the oldest tree (named Methuselah) at approximately 2,500 years.
Have you heard of these ancient trees or Three Sisters Swamp before? And did you know the Tar Heel State is home to some of the oldest trees in the world?
To learn more about these ancient trees (and see additional photos from the Black River Preserve), head to this link on the official website of the Nature Conservancy. Want to take a guided tour of Three Sisters Swamp? Head over to this link on the official website of Captain Charles Robbins’ Cape Fear River Adventures to learn more and book a tour.
