The World's Oldest Longleaf Pine Tree

Venture into wildlife when you take a walk through Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve. The longleaf pine forest in Southern Pines spans 900 acres and provides a window into the forests that once covered millions of acres. In 2007, the oldest longleaf pine tree in the preserve was found to be the oldest in the world. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro's Carolina Tree Ring Science Laboratory confirmed it to be nearly 470 years old — 100 years older than the previously known oldest longleaf pine. The tree's discovery contributes to scientific understanding of climate change and drought cycles, and the forest continues to serve as a hotspot for birding and wildlife-viewing. Walk the short trails to explore the ecology of the area or spend some time in quiet reflection; then check out the exhibits at the visitor's center for more on the unique history of North Carolina's State Tree.