The Oldest Living Thing East of the Rockies
Travel & Leisure → Travel Spot
- Author Paul Negron
- Published November 30, 2010
- Word count 579
When you’re staying at historic Charleston’s Lodge Alley Inn, you’ll be surrounded by history. Once you’ve soaked up the architectural beauty and rich history of the city, head to nearby John’s Island to see the oldest living thing east of the Rockies.
Known as the Angel Oak, the live oak tree that has its own park is estimated to be 1,500 years old, pre-dating Columbus by 1,000 years! Tucked into a wooded area off Bohicket Road, not too far from Highway 17, the Angel Oak tree will simply take your breath away. Its quiet majesty shades the tiny park it dominates; it will be quite a while before you forget the 160-foot span of Angel Oak’s massive branches. Her circumference is a whopping 25 feet, and she covers 17,000 square feet of ground.
Take your camera, and get ready to be wowed. You may see only one or two other people during your visit. The small park has a few picnic tables, and a tiny gift shop where you can purchase a memento. But the reason to go is simply to stand underneath the tree and contemplate all that it has withstood, the history that has passed since it sprouted.
The Tree, as locals call it, bears a family name. The first recorded ownership was in 1717, when one Abrahama Waight received the tree as part of a small land grant. During four generations of being in the Waight family, it once was made part of a marriage settlement to a Waight daughter, who married a man named Justus Angel. The City of Charleston acquired the land in 1991 and now maintains the tree and the park.
Many believe the forest that surrounds Angel Oak is part of the reason it has withstood the centuries, even surviving the brutal blow of Hurricane Hugo in 1989. The forest also provides moisture and drainage, while filtering pollutants before they can reach Angel Oak’s roots. Nearby developments approved by the City of Charleston in 2009 have naysayers predicting the early "natural" demise of the tree, without its surrounding forest. So despite this magnificent tree’s long history, it could possibly be better to visit now, rather than postpone.
During spring and summer, numerous cultural events are scheduled at the tree site, including the Evening Under the Angel Oak series, which includes live music and theater presentations. During historic Charleston’s famed Spoleto arts festival, which occurs late May / early June, Angel Oak is also incorporated into the program as a venue, surely the most dramatic of all.
If you’re staying at Lodge Alley Inn that time of year, be sure to check the Spoleto website to see events which might be occurring there, or ask at the Inn. One year, the entire Charleston Ballet Company performed underneath its massive branches. Choreographer Jill Bahr is quoted as saying as being amazed to find that the entire dance company - 19 strong - could hide behind the trunk of a single tree.
Angel Oak is a live oak (quercus virginiana), a native species to coastal Carolina’s lowcountry. Her largest branch is a whopping eighty-nine feet long, with a circumference of 11.25 feet. Just imagine how many creatures have lived in a tree this size over the course of 1500 years. A look at the ground is also inspiring: thousands upon thousands of acorns lie about in tribute to their host.
This amazing South Carolina attraction is located just 12 miles from downtown historic Charleston and Lodge Alley Inn.
Paul is a writer and contributor for Bluegreen's Travel Guide website, Colorful Places
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- What makes the city of Melbourne such a unique place?
- What can tourists do in Adelaide, South Australia?
- Vacation Guide to San Francisco
- 15 Best Free Things to Do in Oaxaca City, Mexico
- Top Breweries To Visit in Portland and Asheville
- "Unlock Your Tour's Potential: The Impact of Our Itinerary Plan"
- Day Trip to San Juan Islands | The Ultimate Guide
- 19 Must-Visit Attractions in Dubai 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
- Top 10 Must-See Destinations in Cape Town
- FISHING NEAR GAINESVILLE FL
- The History of the Old City of Semarang and the Future of Urban Planning
- 5 Breathtaking Places to Visit in South Korea
- 18 Most Popular Graffiti Alleys & Street Art Projects In The United States
- Hot Dog, Jumping Frog: Things to See and Do in Albuquerque
- What are the More Obscure Places to Visit in Sydney?
- What are the Best Places to Eat in Vienna?
- Some of the More Obscure Places to Visit in Los Angeles as a Tourist
- Miami Beach Wedding or Vow Renewal Private Ceremony
- Knowsley A Hidden Gem of Culture, Sports, and Community Spirit
- Amazing Sites of Croatia
- COMPLETE GUIDE OF THE TOP 100 OF THE WORLD’S 50 BEST BARS IN SINGAPORE
- Have you been to Healesville Sanctuary?
- European Holidays For Culture Vultures: A Guide To Summer 2022
- The Overland Train
- The History of Croydon, Victoria in Australia
- What countires make up the Caribbean?
- Have you been to Glasgow in Scotland?
- Which city is considered the sporting capital of the world?
- Have you been to Adelaide in Australia?
- Have you been to San Francisco?