Date: February 25th, 2009 | Comments : none | Categories: conservation, Environmental issues, Green, Historic significance, issues, petition, Seasonal, Series, South Carolina, Summer, Travel, Travel USA, Trees, Unusual Interest, Urban and State Parks, USA.

Update – originally posted September 11, 2008

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The 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaThe 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaThe 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaThe 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaThe 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaThe 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South Carolina
This set of photos honors the efforts of a petition to halt construction on John’s Island, South Carolina that would have encroached on an area of land boasting an Oak tree estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old.
Charleston, SC is proud of its heritage and respected for its commitment to preserving history in the area. Thanks to individuals rallying together and signing a petition, we are reassured that small efforts can and do make a difference on this planet. The land surrounding the Angel Oak is no longer in jeopardy. 17 acres were purchased by Lowcountry Land Trust, protecting the area adjacent to the tree.

Initially I wrote a longer article promoting the petition and website, which is no longer active. There were pages of exclamations by tourists who have visited the area specifically to see the Angel Oak, and interesting comments and pleas from residents who have fond memories of climbing the branches as children, and whose children now do the same. A nearby elementary school carries its’ name.

The 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaThe 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaThe 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaArbourists have propped and supported the weight of the branches of the Angel Oak with stakes and cables.Arbourists have propped and supported the weight of the branches of the Angel Oak with stakes and cables.Arbourists have propped and supported the weight of the branches of the Angel Oak with stakes and cables.
During the summer of 2008, my husband and I drove through South Carolina and took a short detour to John’s Island because I had heard of the tree and was very curious to see it. We drove through wicked rains at the edge of Tropical storm Faye, so when we arrived at Angel Oak park no one else was there. The tree trunk and lower branches are so immense, many have been propped up with stakes and heavy cables here and there, which is a little intrusive for photo-taking, but obviously necessary. Growth is spread outward more than upward, occupying an enormous space at least 150 feet wide.

Some branches measure at least two feet in diameter near the main trunk on the 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaSome branches measure at least two feet in diameter near the main trunk on the 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaSome branches measure at least two feet in diameter near the main trunk on the 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaBranches extend over thirty feet away from the trunk on the 1500 year old Angel Oak on John\'s Island, South CarolinaBranches extend over thirty feet away from the trunk on the 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaSome branches measure at least two feet in diameter near the main trunk on the 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South Carolina

Healthy ferns support other organisms on the branches of 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaHealthy leaves continue to thrive on the 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaHealthy leaves continue to thrive on the 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South Carolina

Healthy ferns support other organisms on the branches of 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaHealthy ferns support other organisms on the branches of 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South CarolinaHealthy ferns support other organisms on the branches of 1500 year old Angel Oak on Johns Island, South Carolina
According to after the Category 5 Hurricane Hugo hit the coast of in 1989, Governor Carroll Campbell is reported to say that the storm destroyed enough timber in South Carolina to frame a home for every family in the state of West Virginia. All those trees and forests obliterated, yet The Angel Oak survived. It has since healed injuries inflicted by Hurricane Hugo.

 

 

 


 

 
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