Angel Oak

Don’t miss this! Kudos to the folks of James Island who stopped development of the environs. Only drawback is the plethora of «NO» signs all over the place — but maybe they are necessary…

This is a wonderful free side trip to take when in Charleston, and frankly I would do it soon. The tree was almost lost in Hugo, so there is no telling how much longer it will survive.

A Bucket List must. As you turn onto this narrow canopied dirt road you start to think– is this the right way? You are on Angel Tree Road– so yes of course it is. You nearly feel the Angel Tree’s presence before you see it– 1500 + years of history that has occurred around this tree seems to surround you as you enter the canopy. Visitors seem to instinctually speak in hushed tones. Beneath the canopy you feel as if you are instantly transported to Middle Earth.

It’s DBH is huge! I like big trees and free things. If you like trees, free things, and you’re already in the area, come visit the Angel Tree. It’s big with lots of branches. Though many of the branches are held up by posts and wires, I feel like that’s cheating a bit. Also, you’re not allowed to climb or stand on it. There are signs. If you’re in the area, I recommend visiting it but if this is the reason you’re coming to the area, don’t bother. After all, it’s a tree. Look at people’s photos, breath-​in and exhale, and move on.
Parking is free (in the gates and along the narrow dirt road). There’s a small gift shop (but we skipped it and have no comment).

It’s an old tree– and enormous. Really something to see. 5 stars for my interest in this type of thing, but there’s nothing really to «rate». You pull in to the smallish parking lot, there’s a port-​a-​john and a small gift shop, but that’s about it. And Angel oak of course, accompanied by a ton of signs that remind people to not climb, sit on, or deface the tree (though some people don’t seem to get the picture).
It’s worth the drive out of town, bring a camera!

The tree is gorgeous, and it’s free to view. HOWEVER — MOSQUITOES. Yikes. We took a few pictures of the tree and ran back to the car! In December! And you can’t just walk up and see it — it has hours, so check them before you go. And — I get that they don’t want people climbing on the tree, but having FOUR signs telling people that — four pictures that get in the way of pictures — seems a bit excessive.

Words can’t describe how breathtaking this area is! Just go visit and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Im NO nature person but I love this place!

It’s a beautiful tree. Not much else there. The gift shop is kind of a joke. Kayla H is dead on with her tips.

The tree is an amazing wonder. Pictures don’t do it justice. My only issue was the gift shop is kind of shabby and they only have one print that they sell there in different sizes, and the photo they have of the tree is just blah. For it being so magnificent their marketing photo really needs some help. But you should go and try to get your own awesome photo.

I’ve been wanting to visit since I first learned about the Angel Oak. In person, it was more spectacular than I had hoped.
My bits of advice:
–Only portajohns on site for restrooms
–Photos may have a lot of other visitors in them… don’t be surprised or upset
–Most parking is on a road near the park
–It’s the right thing to do to confront anyone climbing or sitting on the tree
Really pleased I was able to fit in a visit while in town for work.

According to several sources, this ancient tree is approximately 1,500 years old. That would make it about 1,100 years old when the Pilgrims first set foot in North America. This tree has survived natural disasters like the Great Charleston Earthquake of 1886, the Hurricane of 1893, Hurricane Hugo in 1989, and countless humans climbing its branches over more than a dozen centuries.
It is said to be one of the OLDEST living organisms East of the Mississippi River, which makes standing in the shadows of its massive canopy a great honor. Only the Florida Pond Cypress by the name of Lady Liberty is older @ 2,000 years of age.
Angel Oak tree is GINORMOUS! Many of the branches are so thick they have a greater circumference than most of the trunks on the trees in my neighborhood!!! When you look at the nearby surrounding landscape, there isn’t one tree that appears to be older than a few hundred years. That means this tree stood alone in a prairie like setting for hundreds of years. Makes you wonder how it stood alone for so long without being damaged or destroyed? I can only imagine the conversations this tree has heard or the secrets it keeps after 15 centuries of people resting below its shady covering.
How many lovers has it seen, or evil plots has it heard? How many politicians, actors, generals and famous writers have visited to gaze upon its magnificence? Could George Washington, Abraham Lincoln or Edgar Allen Poe have ever stood in awe of its enormity? I wonder.
It is a living monument to survival and worthy of a visit. Who knows how many more years this majestic wonder has left… but wouldn’t it be fun to start a family tradition of taking photo’s at it’s base? How cool would it be if a few centuries from now my great, great, great, great grandchildren were still taking family pictures standing in the very same spot.
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NOW FOR MY TWO CENTS
I do however, think it’s a real shame it doesn’t have a better setting than a small enclosed area with a rickety chain link fence and old shed along a dirt road. This elderly citizen would be better served if parking and the main road were relocated to the field nearby, adding natural paths, benches, attractive landscaping and a informative history plaque for visitors.
In 2012 the oldest Pond Cypress in the world (located in Longwood, Florida) burned to the ground at the hands of a meth addict. Its name was The Senator and it was 3,500 years old. Who knows how many of these ancient wonders were lost to logging back in the pioneering days at the start of our country. It’s just a tree, but a glorious one that deserves our protection.
If it were up to me, I wouldn’t allow any surrounding trees to reach a height tall enough to fall and possibly damage it. Angel Oak has proven it can stand on its own, but I think it would be worth the effort to protect and improve its chance of survival for centuries more!!!