The Angel Oak: What to Know Before You Go

In my many years of photographing trees, I've never seen anything quite as spectacular as the Angel Oak of Johns Island, South Carolina. Its branches grow in all directions, often dipping down into the ground before curving back up again — like some sort of earth-bound version of the Loch Ness monster.

Many of its branches are so heavy they require supports in multiple places to prevent breakage. Still, the tree has survived some of the South's worst hurricanes, starred in at least one major TV commercial, and has remained a fixture in the Lowcountry for centuries. Here's what you need to know if you're planning a visit.

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Angel Oak Tree

The single most important thing to know about the Angel Oak is that you absolutely should not sit or climb on it for any reason! It's not a prop for children's photos or a jungle gym to keep kids entertained. Think of it more like a very fragile piece of art.

We're talking about a tree that's been around an estimated 450 to 500 years.

Think about that.

Those roots potentially burrowed into the soil on Johns Island before the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock.

The tree pre-dates European settlement and goes back to a time when Native American tribes freely lived off the land.

A LOT of effort has gone into keeping the Angel Oak alive and protected all these years! Make sure you follow the rules, which are clearly posted at the entry and around the tree itself.

Rules When Visiting the Angel Oak Tree

1. No Smoking! For obvious reasons.
2. No sitting, climbing, or standing on the tree. The branches of the Angel Oak are actually hollow and very fragile.
3. No tripods allowed. They can damage the root system.
4. No pets allowed in the vicinity of the tree. Again, for obvious reasons.
5. No spiked heels allowed. They can damage the fragile root system.
6. No picnics allowed under the tree. There are picnic tables approximately 100 feet away if you want to pack a lunch!
7. No blankets. With all the tourists, it's not a great spot for relaxing anyway.
8. No alcohol. Be respectful.

It's ok to gently hug or kiss the tree, so if you're traveling with young kids be sure to let them know that's an option. (It's actually super cute to see kids hugging it! They're so gentle with it, and sometimes they pet it like it's a little animal.)

Angel Oak Tree Pictures

Just look at it! It's truly a thing of beauty. I love how the boughs intertwine and twist sideways for 100 feet or more in some places. The longest branch measures in at 187 feet (and still growing).

The canopy is more than 65 feet high, and it provides 17,000+ square feet of shade. That's pretty impressive for a single tree!

If you're not familiar with Southern Live Oaks in the Lowcountry, they dip and curve in a magical way that almost looks like they were dancing in the wind and suddenly became frozen in time.

Erin Clarkson (AKA: Me!), Savannah First-Timer's Guide

The green plant you often see growing on the limbs of many southern trees is called Resurrection Fern. It earned the name because it shrivels up and appears to die until a fresh rainfall comes along to “resurrect” it.

You can see an excellent sample of Resurrection Fern on this photo I took in one of the squares in Savannah.

As stated on the many signs placed around the tree, the interior is actually hollow. I can't imagine how many squirrels and birds are hiding out in there! If I were a forest creature (First of all: I'd be an owl, for sure), I'd definitely want that tree as my home.

According to the National Wildlife Federation, the Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) can live to be more than a thousand years old.

The Angel Oak itself has an anticipated life span of at least 900 years. (Totally possible with concentrated preservation efforts!)

Directions to the Angel Oak

It's not located in the middle of nowhere like you might think! It's only a few minutes north of Charleston and in a rather populated area.

• Address: 3388 Angel Oak Road, Johns Island, S.C. 29455
• Hours: 9 am – 4:50 pm daily
• Cost: FREE

If you're driving from Savannah, I-95 to 17 is the fastest route. It's not a terrible way to go, because that route takes you through Yemassee where you can easily visit the Old Sheldon Ruins. (Highly recommended!) Here's a map where I've included a few other points of interest you might want to check out nearby and along the way.

Click on each icon on the map to learn more about the attraction and to get the specific address to enter into your GPS.

If you head on to Charleston after visiting the Angel Oak, make sure you read through my suggested list of things to do in the area: 2019 Charleston SC Printable Bucket List

If you're looking for a place to stay in Charleston, I suggest The Dewberry (always a classic) or Zero George Street (incredibly relaxing and beautiful).

Parking and Bathroom Details

When visiting the Angel Oak, you'll have to exit off of a paved road and drive behind a church on a dirt road for a short amount of time before arriving at the property.

The tree sits on fenced property and is under constant surveillance, so if you go after hours, please don't try climbing the fence. It's not lit at night anyway, so you wouldn't be able to see anything. Plus, you'll risk getting arrested for trespassing or criminal mischief.

During visiting hours, the gates are open and you can park in the on-site dirt surface parking lot. There's also a small log cabin that contains a gift shop.

The “last entry” time for the parking lot is 4:50, but sometimes they close the gate 10 or 15 minutes before last call. (You can still get out, you just can't enter.) They also temporarily close it during thunderstorms.

Porta-potties are available next to the parking lot, but a better option would be to go to a nearby restaurant or gas station. There are plenty of options within a 5 mile radius!

Protecting the Angel Oak for Future Generations

The land is currently owned by the City of Charleston. Because the tree's root system is so intertwined with the adjacent forest, the Lowcountry Land Trust purchased the surrounding acreage in 2014 to protect the area from further development. You can donate to the Lowcountry Land Trust here…

The reason it's so important to have a strong forrest surrounding the tree is because it protects the Angel Oak from hurricanes and filters out pollutants that could potentially damage the tree.

Other Nearby Southern Live Oaks

• The Candler Oak in Savannah, GA – Estimated at approximately 300 years old, The Candler Oak sits along the northeastern edge of Forsyth Park and is listed on the National Historic Register of Trees.
• Lover's Oak in Brunswick, GA – It has an official plaque from the National Arborist Association stating it was in existence in 1787 when the U.S. Constitution was signed, but the tree is considered much older than that. Although living trees are difficult to date, it's estimated to be 900 years old.
• Liberty Oak on Hilton Head Island, SC – The Liberty Oak is located in Harbour Town and is approximately 300 years old. Sea Pine's founder, Charles Fraser, who was one of the early developers on Hilton Head Island, is buried beneath it.
• Talbird Oak on Hilton Head Island, SC – Located in beautifully landscaped Hilton Head Plantation, it's estimated to be approximately 300 years old.
• Cherry Hill Plantation Oak in Beaufort, SC – This one grows on relatively undeveloped land in Beaufort that formerly operated as the Cherry Hill Plantation. It's approximately 400 years old.
• Grandfather Oak in Charleston, SC – The Grandfather Oak is possibly the oldest known oak tree in SC. It's located in Charleston's Magnolia Cemetery, and arborists estimate its age at somewhere between 800 – 925 years. The trunk is 25 feet around and the branches spread to 117 feet.

Wow, I'm pretty sure that's the most I've ever written about a tree! This post turned out a lot longer than expected, but the tree and surrounding area have such an interesting history.

Still Have Questions? I answer fastest on Instagram!

You might also enjoy these posts about the Lowcountry:

• What To Do on a Day Trip to Old Town Bluffton, SC
• 7 Incredible Hilton Head Sunset Spots (Map Included!)
• The Best Fireworks and Family-Friendly Activities on HHI

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