Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Protected forest in western Graham County, North Carolina.
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is a protected hardwood forest in the Appalachian Mountains with large, ancient trees from many species. The forest contains yellow poplars, oaks, basswood, beech, and sycamore trees that grow to substantial heights and develop thick trunks.
The forest was selected in 1934 by war veterans and dedicated in 1936 to honor a World War I soldier and poet. Its protection since then has preserved a rare example of old-growth woodland in the eastern United States.
The forest honors a soldier and poet through its name, drawing visitors who come to walk among ancient trees and reflect on what this place preserves. People use the trails to experience old-growth woodland that has survived for centuries largely unchanged.
Two walking loops form a figure-eight pattern, with the lower trail featuring a memorial and the upper loop showcasing the largest trees. Both routes are accessible and offer different perspectives of the woodland depending on which section you choose.
The forest contains trees that are 200 years old or more and were already mature when the memorial was established. This age and size make it a rare window into the original eastern forest landscape before widespread clearing.
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