Angel OakAngel Oak (or Scarlet's Tree) is thought to be the oldest
existing entity, either living or man-made, east of the Rocky
Mountains. This extraordinary live oak is over 1,400 years old and,
while not very tall, it does boast a vast canopy, in excess of
17,000 square feet (1,600 m2). Angel Oak has survived countless
hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, including severe damage from
Hurricane Hugo in 1989. The tree's forest home may have been one of
the islands' many lumber sources for ship-building back in the 18th
century, and nowadays the park and the tree are owned by the city
of Charleston. The tree's name doesn't refer to any angelic connections.
Rather, the Angel estate, a family estate, used to own the land,
and the tree was named after them. The Angel tree features in
various local legends and has been written into several stories and
books. Keeping the tree safe from encroaching urban development has
lately become an issue, although so far it is still located deep
enough
Address: 3688 Angel Oak Road, Johns Island
Telephone: (843) 559 3496
Admission: Free |
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