Penning laws were enacted in 1937 to protect the plants and grasses that were being planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of the dune construction project on Hatteras. But alien plant species introduced by federal project managers altered the landscape even more, challenging the oaks for what little sunlight was left.
It would take more than 50 years until the island's live oaks finally had a chance to recover. In 1993, Hurricane Emily raked Hatteras, leveling nearly a third of the now-dominant pines and crippling even more. The weakened trees were gobbled by up hungry beetles, one of their natural predators. Exploding populations of southern pine and Ips beetles devoured many of the trees that had sustained only minor damage. Across the island, large sections of woodland were once again pockmarked with bright, sunny gaps.
Where the pines succumbed, fresh dark green leaves mark eager young live oaks eager to take their place. More than a century after the thick forests disappeared, the vegetation is beginning to return to normal. It will be a long process. Scientists say it takes 100 years or more for a maritime forest to re-establish itself. In many parts of Hatteras Island, that process is starting. A century from now, children's laughter might again echo through the forest canopy as they climb on grapevine webs between the tops of live oak trees and drop into the ocean from vine swings.
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