Some of the oldest trees in the world found in Bladen County

BLADEN CO., N.C. (WTVD) – Some of the oldest known trees in the world are found in Bladen County.

David Stahle, a professor from Arkansas, has identified a tree on the Black River as the world's oldest known bald cypress tree.

The tree is at least 2624 years old. It is found in a forest among other bald cypresses that have existed for over 2,000 years. Bald cypresses are the fifth oldest tree species known to science.

Stahle said his research was aimed at finding trees a few hundred years old. So, his discovery won him out.

"The very old trees are often unique pieces – some isolated survivors, but it's an old, untouched forest," Stahle told Spectrum News. "When you are in this forest, you are surrounded by century old trees.You are in one of the largest old-growth forests in the world.It is difficult to find a truly natural place and that is not not been altered by human activity But the Black River is as close as possible. "

He said that he now hoped that future research and preservation would follow.