<P> Angel Oak is a Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) located in Angel Oak Park on Johns Island near Charleston, South Carolina . The tree is estimated to be 400 - 500 years old . It 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 m). Its longest branch distance is 187 ft in length . Angel Oak was the 210th tree to be registered with the Live Oak Society . </P> <P> The oak derives its name from the estate of Justus Angel and his wife, Martha Waight Tucker Angel . Local folklore tells stories of ghosts of former slaves appearing as angels around the tree . </P> <P> Despite the claims that the Angel Oak is the oldest tree east of the Mississippi River, bald cypress trees throughout North and South Carolina are significantly older . One example in North Carolina is over 1,600 years old . </P> <P> Angel Oak was damaged severely during Hurricane Hugo in 1989 but has since recovered . The City of Charleston has owned the tree and surrounding park since 1991 . </P>

The angel oak tree in charleston south carolina