Grand live oak tree

Live oak, Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, SC  

This wonderful live oak tree is at Magnolia Plantation in the part of the park where the Magnolia Cabin project tour "Slavery to Freedom" is.

Magnolia recognizes the importance of acknowledging the vital role that Gullah people and culture plays in any interpretation of Lowcountry history. By addressing this often overlooked part of the region's narrative, Magnolia seeks to respectfully afford credit where credit is due.
Visitors have the option to take a shuttle to the cabins, where they will experience an engaging and interactive discussion of the dynamic issues that shape this delicate inquiry. Afterward, time is given to allow everyone the opportunity to explore each cabin to appreciate the lengthy period in which the buildings were actively occupied - from the 1850s to the late 1990s. This arc of history conveys the tumultuous times continuously challenging African-American families from slavery, the Jim Crow/segregation era and through the modern Civil Rights period.

Wounded Senior

Oak tree, Charleston, S.C.

We love this grand and ancient split oak tree on the campus of Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. I was startled to see a huge limb broken off and laying in the parking lot this morning. Poor wounded tree.

They already had an arborist making a house call offering advice on the best way to take care of the damage with the least harm to the tree. By afternoon there was a large pile of cut wood laying in the shade of the tree.

Below is a photo taken earlier this year before the limb loss.

Deperately Seeking Oak Tree

Split Oak Tree, Meditation Garden, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Charleston, S.C.

I've featured this grand split oak tree before but it is so rare to catch it without cars parked around it that I can't resist snapping a photo when I go by. Today's picture is to bring to your attention a reader's plea for help in finding another tree. I hope she doesn't mind me sharing her note. Let us know if the tree she is seeking rings a bell! I am mentally replaying all the sidewalks of Charleston trying to figure out which one she means. Help her if you can:

I was hoping you could help me with something. My mother & I visited Charleston many years ago and have a single picture that, unfortunately, has disappeared of an old oak tree in Charleston. It was in a residential neighborhood of Peninsular Charleston and it was so unique because it had grown through/around the wall and the iron fence of the property. And it was a HUGE tree! A lot larger than you normally find in Charleston! We are now back in Charleston - permanently - and have started the search for this tree. I know you have walked nearly every inch of the peninsula and was wondering if you had any knowledge and/or pictures of this tree. Unfortunately, our discovery of this tree was nearly 15 years ago and we realize it may be gone by now, but if you have any knowledge of it - or know anyone who does - I would be so appreciative! My mother is longing to find this tree again!

Love the blog!

Grand Oaks in the Mist

Meditation Garden, Charleston, S.C.

I work in a garden. No doubt about it. On foggy mornings like this I take a detour under the oak trees on my way to the hospital and visit my favorite trees.

It was hard to make myself get up off the couch and go for my walk this evening but I did it late and just got back. It is still foggy and mysterious feeling. I felt like I was Oliver Twist expecting the Artful Dodger to dart out from around a corner. Boo!

You can click the smaller pictures to get the larger view.

Trees.....

Charleston, S.C.

It is difficult to realize how great a part of all that is cheerful and delightful in the recollections of our own life is associated with trees.
Wilson Flagg