Three Sisters Swamp

The Three Sisters Swamp located along the Black River in Fort Carolina is home to the oldest living tree east of the Mississippi. A Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) verified to be 2,628 years old by Dr. David Stahle of the University of Arkansas Tree-Ring Laboratory. Known simply as BLK227. Nearly 3,000 acres surrounding the tree is managed by the Nature Conservancy. Gathering Growth made the trip in May of 2021 to the Three Sisters in order to document the “one” as well the entire swamp. As it probably contains trees that are older or close to the one verified.

The Black River on which the swamp is located is stained like black tea. The high acidity in the water is from the vegetation decay and the release of tannins in the water. Most hardwood tree species cannot live in this environment and slows the growth of the bald cypress.

A swollen hollow buttress.