The Angel Oak Tree is a Southern live oak located in Angel Oak Park on John’s Island near Charleston, South Carolina. The exact date is missing, but it is believed the Angel Oak Tree is estimated more than 1500 years old. It stands 66.5 feet tall and measures 28 feet in circumference. It produces massive shade that covers more than 17,200 square feet.
The Angel Oak tree is the longest branch distance 187 feet in length. This tree was the 210th tree to be registered with the Live Oak Society. As you can imagine that natural disasters can damage any tree in the world. And the same happened with the Angel Oak tree, which was badly damaged during Hurricane Hugo in 1989. But the tree has tremendously recovered. So, therefore the City of Charleston has owned the tree and surrounding park since 1991. Angel Oak is a live oak, and it is native to the low country and is not very tall but has a widespread canopy.
Angel Oak Tree in South Carolina stands on land that was part of Abraham Weight’s 1717 land grant. The oak originates its name from the estate of Justis and Martha Angel, and local inhabitants tell traditional stories of ghosts of former slaves appearing as angels around the tree. In spite of the popular belief that the tree is the oldest one east of the Mississippi River. But else, they are several bald cypress trees throughout the South which are many hundreds of years older.
As time passes, modernization and development take place all over the world. In 2012, development started to encroach on the site of the Angel Oak. To build a 500-unit apartment complex, but Angel Oak was seriously challenged in court by a group aiming to save the oldest tree. The Low Country Land Trust, finally purchased 17 Acer adjacent land to protect the area from development. The coastal conversation league, their major concerns included the construction’s effect on available groundwater and nutrients.
For visitors who haven’t visited this tree, you should know that it is this state’s most impressive work of nature. It is more inspiring even than a plate of shrimp and grits. During the spring and summer seasons, there are various events take place, i.e., “Evening Under the Angel Oak”. The dramatic presentations, and numerous other activities, particularly during the Spoleto Festival in May and June. Famous writer Emiley Nelson features the Angel Oak Tree in his book “The Heart of a Child”.
