Charleston’s Angel Oak—a 65-foot Southern live oak over 300 years old on Johns Island—is advancing toward a major upgrade after years of planning. The city’s Technical Review Committee is now vetting the Angel Oak Preserve redesign for the fourth time, focusing on engineering, safety, and neighbor impacts. This follows preliminary approval from the Design Review Board in January.
Key Project Features
- Expanded protection: New fencing and 44-acre elevated boardwalks to shield roots while allowing close-up views in select spots.
- Visitor improvements: Parking, gift shop, educational displays on the tree’s history and Native sacred significance, plus a kids’ nature play area.
- Crowd management: Handles 400,000 annual visitors (up to thousands daily) without overwhelming the site, replacing temp fencing and portables.
Parks director Jason Kronsberg emphasized preservation as priority one: boardwalks keep crowds off sensitive areas, while forest expansion protects the tree’s ecosystem long-term. Community input shaped the 40+ acre vision, backed by the Lowcountry Land Trust.
If approved, construction could start in 2026, but the $13.5 million project still needs full funding. This balances tourism with stewardship for a Lowcountry icon that’s survived wars and storms.
