The Angel Oak Tree, a monumental fixture of the South Carolina Lowcountry, is a famous natural landmark known worldwide for its immense size and historical presence. Located in a public park on Johns Island, near Charleston, this immense live oak draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The tree’s sheer grandeur and ancient appearance often lead people to ask about its count, wondering if such a massive feature can truly be a single organism. The tree stands as a living monument to the region’s deep history.
Addressing the Count: One Unique Tree vs. the Species
The question of how many Angel Oak Trees exist has two distinct answers, one referring to the specific, celebrated landmark and the other to its biological classification. When capitalized, “The Angel Oak Tree” refers to only one single, highly protected specimen on Johns Island. It is a unique individual that has earned its own proper name due to its extraordinary age and size.
This single tree, however, belongs to a widespread group of trees known as the Southern Live Oak, scientifically designated as Quercus virginiana. There are countless Southern Live Oaks growing across the southeastern United States, and they share the same genetic characteristics that allow for immense growth. The common confusion stems from the fact that while the species is numerous, this particular tree is the most famous and largest known example of its kind.
The Identity of the Angel Oak
The singular Angel Oak is an extraordinary example of its species, with arborists generally estimating its age to be between 400 and 500 years old. Southern Live Oaks are known for a wide, spreading growth pattern rather than height, but this ancient specimen has achieved impressive dimensions. It stands approximately 66.5 feet tall, with its massive central trunk measuring about 28 feet in circumference. The tree’s most remarkable feature is its massive canopy, which extends to create a shaded area covering approximately 17,200 square feet.
Its longest branch stretches an astonishing 187 feet from the trunk, a testament to the lateral growth habit of Quercus virginiana. The weight and length of these enormous boughs cause many of them to dip toward the ground before curving back upward. This unique, sprawling growth is characteristic of the Live Oak species, which evolved to withstand strong coastal winds and hurricanes by distributing its mass widely. The wood itself is highly dense and heavy, which contributes to the tree’s resilience and its low, broad profile.
Preservation and Protection
The Angel Oak Tree’s long existence has been sustained by both its natural hardiness and dedicated human intervention. The tree derives its name from the Angel family, who owned the land for generations after it was part of a 1717 land grant to Abraham Waight. The property was acquired by the City of Charleston in 1991, designating the tree as the centerpiece of a public park.
Protecting the tree’s structural integrity requires ongoing arboricultural maintenance due to the immense weight of its horizontal limbs. Many of the heaviest branches are supported by a system of steel wires and wooden props, which redistribute stress and prevent breakage during storms. This structural support system ensures the longevity of the tree’s unique shape.
The tree’s health is also dependent on the preservation of its expansive, shallow root system, which extends far beyond the canopy. In 2013, the Lowcountry Land Trust purchased 35 acres adjacent to the park to prevent residential development. This land acquisition, now part of the 44-acre Angel Oak Preserve, safeguards the surrounding forest and the critical water and nutrient supply for the tree.