Skip to main content

Get the Reddit app

Scan this QR code to download the app now
Or check it out in the app stores

Angel Oak

















Ancient Angel Oak Tree on John’s Island, South Carolina
r/remoteplaces

This subreddit is dedicated to the fascination of remote regions. It is the place to link travel journals, pictures or articles related with these areas of the world. The place must be remote - not just something interesting. If it is near a major metropolitan area it isn't remote.


Members Online
Ancient Angel Oak Tree on John’s Island, South Carolina

Standing under the Angel Oak Tree on John’s Island, SC. Nov. 2nd 2023

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.

https://preview.redd.it/ancient-angel-oak-tree-on-johns-island-south-carolina-v0-ew5r1hiaeyzb1.jpghttps://preview.redd.it/ancient-angel-oak-tree-on-johns-island-south-carolina-v0-hd6jnsiaeyzb1.jpghttps://preview.redd.it/ancient-angel-oak-tree-on-johns-island-south-carolina-v0-5h2mqhiaeyzb1.jpghttps://preview.redd.it/ancient-angel-oak-tree-on-johns-island-south-carolina-v0-q46gvuiaeyzb1.jpg


Angel Oak, me, acrylic on denim, 2023
r/Art

This is a subreddit about art, where we are serious about art and artists, and discussing art in a mature, substantive way. *Read the rules* and observe other submissions before posting. Be on your best behavior and do not comment unless you have something meaningful and mature to say. We are strictly moderated and do not give out warnings.


Members Online
Angel Oak, me, acrylic on denim, 2023
r/Art - Angel Oak, me, acrylic on denim, 2023







  • A place for photographs, pictures, and other images. members
  • A community to share news, events, gatherings, stories, and more for everyone that calls The Holy City (and the surrounding communities in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties) home. members
  • South Carolina is the best Carolina! members
  • Angels Reddit Community members
  • I bet you will /r/BeAmazed! A place to find and share amazing things members
  • Anything related to aircraft, airplanes, aviation and flying. Helicopters & rotorcraft, airships, balloons, paragliders, winged suits and anything that sustains you in the air is acceptable to post here. members
  • for the love of fungi :: hunting, foraging, cultivation, images( mycoporn ), research, questions & general discussion members
  • This is a subreddit about art, where we are serious about art and artists, and discussing art in a mature, substantive way. *Read the rules* and observe other submissions before posting. Be on your best behavior and do not comment unless you have something meaningful and mature to say. We are strictly moderated and do not give out warnings. members
  • A subreddit about photography techniques and styles. Post your work here to ask for critique, or browse the submissions and learn how photography techniques are achieved. members
  • Film photography subreddit. Ask anything about analog photography in our weekly "ask anything" thread, or share photos. For discussion of how to shoot film, buying advice, or what went wrong on your first roll head on over to /r/analogcommunity. members