Driving down the road on Johns Island, SC, you’ll see signs for the Angel Oak, said to be the oldest Southern Live Oak east of the Mississippi. You may wonder if it’s another tourist trap, but this attraction is free, and serves as a nice respite if you’ve spent too many hours in the car.
The massive tree stands 65 feet high and boasts a circumference of more than 25 feet. There is some debate about its age, but experts agree it is at least 300 years old (though some believe that 1,500 years is more accurate). Its largest branch measures more than 180 feet and the canopy provides ample cooling shade, even on a brutal summer day, that covers an area of more than 17,000 square feet.
An evergreen, the Southern live oak grows both up and out. Reminiscent of the trees in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, its branches sprawl in all directions, sometimes even underground, only to pop up a short distance away.
From the mid 18th to 19th centuries, the Angel family owned the tree (and the property it sits on), giving the tree its name. According to early records, the land was owned by the Cussoe tribe until 1675. In 1991, the City of Charleston purchased the land, and local residents and arborists concerned about new development came together to obtain a land grant to protect and preserve the site.
Angel Oak Park is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (it is closed on holidays). While admission to the fenced property is free, donations are very much appreciated. A small gift shop offers memorabilia and locally made handicrafts.
Changes ahead
The Lowcountry Land Trust has plans to create the Angel Oak Preserve, a 44-acre passive park to add learning opportunities and recreational green space. The new space will include a parking area away from the tree’s root system, a new welcome center and gift shop, over two miles of ADA-accessible trails, an outdoor classroom and a nature play area. The project is currently in the permitting phase; the trust hopes to start construction in 2026.
