Angel Oak Tree on Johns Island, South Carolina

“Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.”

Herman Hesse

The Lowcountry in South Carolina is a beautiful place to see. It has that feel that you are near the ocean even when you are still miles from the beach. Much of the forest has a swampy look and many of there are lots trees that have Spanish moss clinging to them. There are small country churches gracing the scenery and many farms and pastures. We passed through quite a few small town with some seemed to be thriving while others appeared to be struggling for survival. The Lowcountry looks very different than any other part of the state and gives South Carolina a uniqueness that brings many tourist here.

We drove over the Stono River (Intracoastal Waterway) on the John F. Limehouse Memorial Bridge to Johns Island and drove past a steady of cars coming from the other direction. We turned onto Angel Oak Road and parked on the side of a small back road with many other cars. We walked through the gates and into Angel Oak Park which is now owned by the city of Charleston. There is no admission price to see this amazing tree but donations are much appreciated to help the city maintain this property.

The tree is stunning and its size will take your breath away when you see the size and beauty of this magnificent tree. There is much debate on the age of this tree. Most say it is at least 400 – 500 years old but some have said this tree could be as old at 1,500 years old. Just imagine if this tree could speak. What stories it could tell.

We were in awe of this tree. The more you walk around it and look at the size and it’s beauty the more mystified we became. It is one of God’s wonderful creations and one that has brought joy to so many people. People have come to visit this tree for centuries and today was no different.  There  were plenty of people here today as we walked around the property.  

The Oak tree stands 66.5 feet tall and has a circumference of 28 feet. The largest branch reaches out 187 feet long. It shades an area of 17,200 square feet. It is said that during the segregation, black families would come here and picnic under its shade. They believed this tree was sacred and everyone respected this tree.

Maritime trees are shorter than the normal trees so they can withstand the forceful winds coming from the coast. That forces them to grow outward instead up upwards. This magnificent live oak is known as Quercus Virginiana in technical terms.

Johns Island is just south of Charleston, South Carolina and is an easy drive from there. The land where the Angel Oak stands was part of Abraham Waight’s 1717 land grant. The name Angel Oak comes from the estate of Justis Angel and his wife, Martha Waight Tucker Angel.

The Angel Oak has had some damage in past years from hurricanes and now is propped up in places to help support some of the longer limbs. The Angel Oak has healed from most of the damage from those storms and is still standing strong and proud. Looking up into the tree, you can see beautiful ferns and moss growing on some of the limbs.

There are stories of sightings of Angels in the tree at night. I am sure this tree does have its Angels around it to protect it. There was talk of developing the land adjacent to this landmark but the citizens fought it and won.  They said that the development would alter the ground water flow to the tree and may damage it. The city bought an additional 17 acres across from the tree. So the tree really does have Angels all around it protecting it.

Joe standing in front of the Angel Oak so you can see the size of the trunk.

This tree is a treasure and is not to be missed if you are in the Charleston area. This tree is the 210^th tree to be registered. They have a nice gift shop to visit also while you are there with great prints of this tree.   Go and see why this tree is so special.

The Oak Tree

By Johnny Ray Ryder Jr

A mighty wind blew night and day.

It stole the Oak Tree’s leaves away.

Then snapped its boughs

and pulled its bark

until the Oak was tired and stark.

But still the Oak Tree Held its ground

while other trees fell all around.

The weary wind gave up and spoke,

“How can you still be standing Oak?”

The Oak Tree said, I know that you

can break each branch of mine in two

carry every leaf away,

shake my limbs and make me sway.

But I have roots stretched in the earth

growing stronger since my birth.

You’ll never touch them, for you see

they are the deepest part of me.