Angel Oak Tree -14, originally uploaded by Stephen B. Ruppe.

The Angel Oak Tree, located in/on John’s Island in South Carolina, is estimated at being 1500+ years old.   According to it’s website, AngelOakTree.org, it is the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi.  It is perhaps, the oldest living oak tree in the world, according to some … Man, oh man, if this tree could talk…

It looks like something out of a movie…

I had first heard about this tree from my grandparents.  My Grandfather on my Father’s side had mentioned it in conversation when I mentioned that my brother and I were headed to Folley Beach, SC to bring in the New Year 2010.   My grandmother on my Mother’s side was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina and had some relatives that lived on the neighboring John’s Island.  I asked her about the tree and she went on about how it’s limbs look like they want to grab you and swallow you up; about how old it is, etc. …

Surprisingly, this old tree is not very tall, only about 65 feet actually; however, it’s wide spread canopy is quite a sight.  Some of it’s limbs grow up, then back down into the earth, and back out again.  The first thing that pops into your mind when you see this tree is an image from the James Cameron film, AVATAR, or perhaps, a scene from that Harry Potter movie where that tree is trying to eat the flying car.  It’s amazing and FREAKY all at the same time…

No Carving or Climbing Please…

It’s free to come see the tree.  All they ask is that you refrain from carving your initials into the tree and that you please try to resist the temptation to pretend that you are ‘Jake Sully’ and swing from it’s limbs.  There were roughly about 20 people there when my brother and I went to see the tree.  People of all ages were present.  Of course, all equipped with cameras. 

At the gift shop, you can purchase framed pictures of the tree and / or leave a donation to help with the maintenance of the tree (I left a small donation myself).  It’s a small place to visit.  I mean it’s just the tree and the gift shop, that’s it.  It’s a little bit difficult to find.  When you first pull off the main road onto ‘Angel Oak Road,’ you are greeted by a closed gate with a sign that says, “Private,” on it.  So, your first impression is that the place is closed.  But there’s a smaller dirt road off to the left that takes you about 1/2 a mile further to the tree site.  It’s a very bumpy, unkept road so be careful if you plan to visit the site…

You can check out more of my Angel Oak Tree photos @ my Flikr Site …