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Ancient Angel Oak Tree on John’s Island, South Carolina
The Angel Oak Tree located on John’s Island outside of Charleston, SC is so old that it has been challenging for historians to accurately date when exactly it started growing or was planted. Some contend that it is 1,500 years old. Most believe that the more conservative estimates are more accurate. Most experts agree that the tree is probably between 400-500 years old.
Angel Oak is thought to be one of the oldest trees and living things as a whole east of Mississippi River. While live oaks are known to only grow out and not upwards, the long history of Angel Oak has allowed it to grow both out and up. The impressive tree stands 66.5 ft (20 m) tall, measures 28 ft (8.5 m) in circumference, and produces shade that covers 17,200 square feet (1,600 m2). From tip to tip Its longest branch distance is 187 ft.
There is a legend that the local Cussoe, a Native Americans tribe in the area had buried their dead beneath the tree and that the spirits that are seen around the Angel Oak are spirits of their dead. Because of this, it would have been viewed as a sacred burial place.
According to historical accounts and documents, the tree stands on property that was purchased from the Cussoe Indians by a representative of Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper in 1675. The land was later part of a 96-acre (39-hectare) land grant to colonist Abraham Waight on July 25, 1717. In 1810, Waight's daughter, Martha, married Justus Angel (thus the name) and their descendants owned the land until some time in the mid-1900s. Because of its history as slaveholding plantation land, there are more than a few local tales of ghosts of former slaves appearing around the Angel Oak, and of those spirits now protecting the tree. During the days of segregation, black families often picnicked under the oak's protective branches. The city of Charleston now owns the property of Angel Oak Park to ensure its preservation.