Angel Oak

Angel Oak in Charleston, South Carolina, on Johns Island. The person standing by the tree is 5 feet 11 inches (180 centimeters) tall.

The Angel Oak is a Southern live oak tree located in Angel Oak Park, in Charleston, South Carolina, on Johns Island, one of South Carolina's Sea Islands. It is estimated to be in excess of 1500 years old^{[citation needed]}, stands 65 ft (20 m) tall, measures 28 ft (8.5 m) in circumference, and shades with its crown an area of 17,000 square feet (1,600 m²). Its widest crown spread point-to-point is 180 ft, which is longer than any other live oak in the country. Its longest limb is 105 feet (32 m) in length. The tree and surrounding park have been owned by the city of Charleston since 1991.^[1]

Cultural significance

The Angel Oak is thought to be one of the oldest living organisms east of the Mississippi River.^[2] Angel Oak stands on part of Abraham Waight's 1717 land grant.^{[citation needed]} The oak derives its name from the Angel estate, although local folklore told stories of ghosts of former slaves would appear as angels around the tree.^[3][4] The tree has become a significant tourist attraction.^[5][6]

It has survived hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and human interference. Angel Oak was damaged severely during Hurricane Hugo in 1989 but has since recovered.^[7]

Development is beginning to encroach on the site of the Angel Oak. In 2012, plans to build a 500 unit apartment complex that would be as close as 160 yards to the Angel Oak were challenged in court by the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League. Environmentalists say building apartments nearby could kill the tree because it would affect available groundwater and nutrients.^[6]

Acorns from the Angel Oak have grown to produce authentic direct-offspring trees. Live oaks generally remain short in proportion to their outward growth.

The Angel Oak tree is featured prominently in the book, The Locket, by Emily Nelson. ISBN 1-4536-6922-8

Angel oak (Quercus virginiana)

See also

List of famous trees

References

Notes

Sources

• Samuels, Gayle Brandow (1999). Enduring Roots: Encounters with Trees, History and the American Landscape. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-585-31062-9. 
• Pakenham, Thomas (2002). Remarkable Trees of the World. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. ISBN 0-297-84300-1. 
• Dent, Thomas L. (1997). Southern journey: a return to the civil rights movement. New York: W. Morrow. ISBN 0-688-14099-8. 
• Perry, Lee Tom (2007). Insiders' guide to Charleston: including Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, Kiawah, and other islands. Guilford, CT: Globe Pequot Press. ISBN 0-7627-4403-0. 

External links

• Dedicated site for information and directions to the Angel Oak.

Coordinates: 32°43′4″N 80°4′46″W / 32.71778°N 80.07944°W / 32.71778; -80.07944