Angel oak, Johns Island, SC

rope-a-dope · Apr 10, 2018

Im planning a trip, and would like to know if anyone could provide insider intelligence on possibly climbing it. My expectations are low, but what a cool tree, i might as well try...
Any hints?

cerviarborist · Apr 10, 2018

Change those expectations to zero.

oldoakman · Apr 10, 2018

No and hell no. It is fenced off, no admittance. Fine if caught inside the fence.

rope-a-dope · Apr 10, 2018

Thats okay. Its such a fantasy tree, could you blame me for asking?
Someone must have had the priviledge...

How about somewhere i could climb sweet live oaks?

cerviarborist · Apr 10, 2018

Start making the rounds in the Chapter TCC's in the southern states and Geezers, for starters.

Z'sTrees · Apr 10, 2018

I think Bartlett had/has the privilege.
The guy I work for now has worked on the angel oak when he was working for the Bartlett office in Charleston several years ago.

SpaceGhost · Apr 11, 2018

Was there on Sunday. It's such a short, wide tree! Got married under it 14 years ago :numberone:

Santiago Casanova · Apr 11, 2018

I proposed to my wife under a champion live oak. They are truly special trees.

Santiago Casanova · Apr 11, 2018

The Cellon Oak, Just south of LaCross, FL.

guymayor · Apr 12, 2018

Cellon Oak was horribly overcabled. I think it lost that big limb on the left as a result. And maybe lost its champion points with the loss of crown spread. The county stuck with their old contractor, and paid the price.

Angel Oak is babysat by city employees, for some reason. It needs haloing, and suffered some excessively large chainsaw wounds, but it's doing ok. Not sure what chemical regimen it's on.

I'm working on live oaks next month near Swansboro; could use a sub...

Santiago Casanova · Apr 12, 2018

The Cellon Oak is over cabled and the limb on the left probably did drop as a result of that. But it is still the Florida champion live oak. It has a score of 522. I would love to see that tree get some help in its older years. The county only really does damage control after something has happened and that is no way to care for a champion.

Santiago Casanova · Apr 12, 2018

Crown Spread Max: 171
Crown Spread Min: 158
Circumference: 390
Height: 91
Height of Circumference: 4
Total Points: 522
Date of Measurement: 3/21/2018
Reason of Measurement: Remeasurement
Verified by County Forester: DAVID S CONSER

guymayor · Apr 12, 2018

There are MANY ways to care for a champion; getting owners to see that is the trick.

Here's another overcabled champ that lost a big limb; I'll be pruning it soon.

And I think I'll measure the Fairchild, Maltby and other oaks, next FL visit. 390 is a fat tree, hard to "top" that...and it STILL has a 171' spread?? hmmmm

Santiago Casanova · Apr 12, 2018

If you are coming down to measure champs in FL I would like to help if needed.

guymayor · Apr 12, 2018

I'll be in Daytona Beach April 28-30 and would like to revisit the Fairchild. It's probly grown some since i put in the lightning system. Hit me up thru the website if you want.

SpaceGhost · Apr 12, 2018

Guy, if you're ever in Savannah or Charleston doing work I'm near Augusta. Stars would have to align as I'm active duty. Ya never know, could happen, so I'll put it out there. Or if you're ever near Aiken, you have a place to stay. My door is always open to tree bros.

guymayor · Apr 13, 2018

Aiken, the former home of Maid Marion? http://conserveaiken.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/fall_2015_newsletter.pdf

SpaceGhost · Apr 13, 2018

Oh wow, never knew about her until now. Thanks for the Intel!

guymayor · Apr 14, 2018

SpaceGhost said:

She is but a memory.

SpaceGhost · Apr 15, 2018

That sucks. Great articles, gave me some ideas on what I should do with the dinosaur Willow Oak that I live with now. I would love to get some hands on experience from a Jedi Veteran Tree caregiver such as yourself. Let me know if you could use my help on any projects, please.