
Spirits of the Angel Oak Tree
Posted: 01.16.2025 | Updated: 01.25.2025
When you first walk up to the Angel Oak Tree, you can’t help but feel like you were transported to another world. The truly massive tree, just a few miles outside Charleston, South Carolina, draws visitors from all over the world. Do they come to see an example of nature’s finest work? Of course. But do they also come to possibly spot one of the “angels” who are said to guard the tree? We’ll let you be the judge of that.
Charleston is home to a great deal of lore and ghost stories, from betrayed pirates to victims of the Great Fire of 1861. To see some of the hot spots where these spirits still linger to this day, book a ghost tour with Charleston Terrors. Who knows: you may even say an angel or two yourself.
Is the Angel Oak Tree Haunted?

The history of the Angel Oak Tree goes back centuries. There are several origin stories regarding the tree’s mystical presence. From the enslaved people who were forced to work on The Angel Oak Plantation to the Indigenous peoples who were driven from their homes, there are plenty of spirits who remain close to the grand tree.
While they’re rarely seen during the day when all the visitors flock to the tree, the phantoms don’t hide when the moon comes out.
Size Matters, Even For Ghosts
Looking at photos, it’s hard to truly grasp the size of the Angel Oak Tree. The oak stands at a staggering 66 feet tall. Yet, the tree’s height isn’t its most amazing feature. The true awe of the tree comes from its span. The gigantic branches of the tree cover an astounding 17,200 square feet. The longest limb stretching out from the tree clocks in at 187 feet.
The sturdy trunk that supports all that weight has a circumference of 28 feet. That means if you went up to the tree and stretched your arms around it, it’d take four to five other adults to do the same to reach all the way around the tree.
One local ballet company showcased just how massive the trunk is. After a performance under the tree’s canopy, all 19 dancers were able to hide behind the single trunk.
The tree also can draw a pretty respectable crowd. The Angel Oak Tree attracts 400,000 visitors annually to marvel at its existence.
History of the Angel Oak Tree
Depending on who you ask, the Angel Oak Tree is a very, very old tree. Some people claim it is 1,500 years old, dating back to 500 AD and long before European settlers came to the New World. However, most arborists agree that the tree is likely between 400 and 500 years old, making it one of the oldest, if not the oldest, living oak trees east of the Mississippi River.
Even if the Angel Oak Tree is on the conservative side of experts’ opinions, it’s still one of the oldest living things in North America. It has witnessed the Civil and Revolutionary Wars and the very beginnings of the United States. Did British soldiers at one point use this tree for shade while marching down the coast? Did early colonists seek refuge under the tree during a bad storm?
While we may never know who all sat under this tree, it’s likely that the stunning tree held significance for whoever stumbled upon it, from Indigenous peoples to early colonists.
As far as records of the oak, the Angel Oak Tree first showed up in stories from the 18th century. It was likely a pretty well-known spot, as a couple chose to wed by the tree in the early 1800s. The couple? Martha Waight Tucker and Justus Angel. The couple’s last name inspired the name for the tree, though some still believe the name has been passed down from the spirits who dwell close to the oak.
Who Haunts the Angel Oak Tree?
There are several theories about who haunts the great oak tree. Many believe these are the spirits of the enslaved people from the Angel Oak Plantation. In fact, there are some disturbing stories revolving around the slaves and the tree.
One descendent of slaves from the Angel Oak Plantation recalled a story that giant birds used to live in the tree (likely vultures) and would feast on the bodies of the enslaved people who were hanged from the tree.
Others argue that these are the spirits of the Indigenous peoples who, at one point, used the area surrounding the tree as a sacred burial ground.
Whoever haunts the Angel Oak Tree, it seems the spirits are more protective than angry. One local tour guide said there’s a certain feeling that happens when you’re near the tree at night.
“When they go and visit, or just kind of walk by…they said there was something kind of alluring. It was kind of this aura surrounding the tree. And it’s believed that the spirits of those enslaved people would come back and actually serve as guardian angels of the tree. And they’re often seen around the tree at night as these glowing figures.”
Yet, just because these spirits act as guardian angels doesn’t mean they won’t do what they need to to protect the tree from vandals.
Hands Off The Angel Oak

One groom learned just how defensive the Angel Oak Tree spirits can be. The couple had been married near the tree in the daytime but decided to sneak back into the park after dark. (The park that houses the tree is only open during the day.)
The groom decided he wanted to “leave his mark” on the historic tree by carving their names in the bark. This is, of course, very illegal to deface such a beloved landmark.
As he moved the knife’s blade toward the bark, a glowing presence started forming around the couple. The newlyweds became quite frightened and turned away from the tree — and came face-to-face with a demonic creature staring back at them.
Needless to say, the couple ran out of there without damaging the tree. So it seems the guardian spirits are doing their job.
Future of the Angel Oak Tree
At its home on John’s Island, the Angel Oak Tree has been through a lot. While badly damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the tree was able to heal and has continued to thrive in recent years. Is this due to help from some spirits on the other side? Perhaps. But if Charlestonians have anything to do about it, the tree will continue to grow for years to come.
Haunted Charleston
After a daytime trip to the Angel Oak Tree, why not book a night tour of some of the other spooky locations within Charleston?
See the Pirate’s House, the dwelling where Blackbeard himself lived after capturing the city in 1718. However, when city officials were closing in, Blackbeard abandoned his crew, who were soon executed.
To see the darker side of Charleston after-hours, book a ghost tour with Charleston Terrors tonight.
Curious about other trees and living landmarks that have a spectral connection? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. To read about other haunted locations in South Carolina, check out our blog.
Sources:
- https://angeloaktree.com/
- https://charlestonterrors.com/
- https://www.southernspiritguide.org/a-spiritual-treasure-angel-oak-johns-island-south-carolina/
- https://www.counton2.com/haunted-history/haunted-history-angels-surrounding-the-oldest-oak/
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-angel-oak-tree-johns-island-south-carolina
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