The so-called "Angel Oak" is the oldest living oak tree on the North American continent, and is likely to be the world's oldest oak. (This is disputable; some trees have been carbon-14 dated whereas some haven't been.) It is of the Live Oak species (Quercus Viginiana). The Angel Oak is approximately 1,500 years old and is located in the Angel Oak Park in Charleston, South Carolina, on John's Island. The tree is about 20 meters (65 feet) high and its canopy covers about 1,580 square meters (17,000 square feet). The Angel Oak is supposedly named after resemblance to angels, but is actually named after Martha and Justin Angel, former owners of it. In the picture above, there is a person standing next to it who is 160 cm (63 inches) tall, to give you an idea of how large it is. Thus it is relatively short compared to its vast canopy. As evident from the picture above, the tree is wondrously beautiful, and very unique. Few oaks grow outwards; most just grow taller, but the Angel Oak has grown in both directions and become so huge that it almost looks like a tree from fantasy and myths, such as Yggdrassil, the Norse World Tree. It would even seem as though one could climb over on the branches from Middle Earth to Elfland, and back, except that of course there is no Elfland and that climbing the tree isn't allowed. Not all of the branches are in the air, however; many touch the ground and even go underground a bit. One may wonder what kind of acorns this tree would drop. The acorns are reported to be of regular size, and are known to produce genuine direct-offspring trees. Smaller versions of the Angel Oak have been grown from these acorns. In spring and summer, many festivals and events occur under the tree, with music, dancing, and other festivities. The Angel Oak is a powerful sight, and a beautiful tree. Just as with moonbows, one should make an effort to see the Angel Oak.
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Thanks to J. Allen Brack for the picture (which is licensed under the public domain).
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