ONE MAN’S VISION FOR THE BLACK RIVER
ONGOING EFFORTS TO DESIGNATE THE BLACK RIVER AS A STATE PARK
From Charles Robbins:
As the owner of Cape Fear River Adventures in Wilmington N.C., I have the pleasure of taking people through this area on the Black River where we have the oldest living cypress trees in the world. The 3 Sisters area is gaining in popularity as the effort is being made to make it a state park.
Over the past 9 years I’ve been lucky to have worked with Dr. Dave Stahle, in helping core these trees for dating and the study of ancient weather. He started his work in 1984, finding the oldest known at the time, of 1763 years. As of last November, living trees over 2,000 years old have been found along the Black River.
My adventures into the Sisters features this work as well as the many wonderful creatures that call it home. The spring bird nesting population is incredible to see. I’m not sure anymore that a state park is the best designation for this area. There are several arguments for other possibilities.
In the heart of the 3 Sisters on the Black River, during research by Dr. Dave Stahle and Mr. Jesse Edmondson, among some of the ancient bald cypress and water tupelo trees.
We call this one poison tree. Pictured is Dr. Stahle taking a core of a bald cypress tree.
The Lord of the Rings. Pictured in the foreground are Charles Robbins and Kemp Burdette, Cape Fear Riverkeeper.
The Twin Towers. Jesse Edmonson taking a core with Dr. Stahle.
