The Angel Oak of Charleston, South Carolina

The famous Angel Oak of Charleston, South Carolina is a magnificent specimen of the southern live oak, Quercus virginiana, residing on Johns Island. At more than 1400 years old, the Angel Oak dwarfs the age of the United States and most of Western society and is one of the oldest living organisms this side of the Mississippi River. Due to its age and physical grandeur, the Angel Oak has become a profoundly important tree to the culture of South Carolina and an important botanical specimen for tree lovers of all sorts. Here is glimpse into the splendor of the august Angel Oak and some recent moments in the tree's long history.

As I have discussed in my article on southern live oaks in general, the Angel Oak is a member of a species of trees that are incredibly important to the flora of both the urban and rural south. The famous shade trees veiled in Spanish moss that line the avenues and fill the park squares of Savannah, Georgia and other southern cities are mostly live oaks, as are many of the larger oaks that line the southern lowcountry. The Angel Oak itself is an incredibly large example, with overwhelming crown of twisting, gnarled branches that comprise 1700 square feet, even though the tree is only a relatively modest 65 feet tall. The branches have been winding away from the massive trunk of the Angel Oak for centuries, the largest branch itself stretching out nearly 90 feet. Some of these heavy branches return to rest on or below the earth for support before stretching out once more to the sun.

The city of Charleston has recently approved a number of homes and shopping centers to be built in proximity of the Angel Oak park, but the good will of the citizens of the city and other activists have ensured that the impact of development on the Angel Oak tree will be slim to none. The park containing the tree is open free of charge to the public and has become an important gathering place for cultural events.

The Angel Oak acquired through the name of the Angel family that came into possession of the estate containing the tree following the marriage of Justus Angel and Martha Waight Tucker Angel, having previously been in the possession of the Waight family since 1717. Since that time, the Angel Oak has been witness to wars, political upheaval, terrible storms, floods and disruptive acts of man. In recent years, the Angel Oak was badly damaged by Hurricane Hugo, but the tree has since made a full recovery. The Angel Oak has persevered through it all.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Oak
http://www.angeloaktree.org/history.htm