88.5 Wfdd - Carolina Curious

Scientists say the bald cypress trees that line North Carolina's Black River are among the oldest on Earth. APRIL LAISSLE/WFDD North Carolina is known for its natural features — think the Blue Ridge Mountains or the pristine beaches of the Outer Banks. Less attention though is given to its forests. That had listener Gayle Morris wondering: "Where in North Carolina can a person experience old-growth forests?" In short, the answer is along the banks of the Black River in eastern North Carolina, where towering bald cypress trees have stood sentry for more than 2,000 years. WFDD’s April Laissle traveled there to learn more about what these trees can tell us about the state’s evolving climate.  On the River Just off a remote road about an hour outside of Wilmington, I’m following a group of researchers past an abandoned cabin and down a gravel trail that leads to the banks of the Black River.  My companions today are dendrologists, scientists who study trees. Some have com