Best tasting live oak tree!

Live oak wedding cake, Charleston, SC  

 Is this not the most amazing wedding cake? The wedding was held under ancient live oaks on Johns Island so it was completely appropriate. Check out the sweet-grass basket base and dripping Spanish moss from the branches. The cake maker's web site is incredible. These are almost, but not quite, too beautiful to eat. Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal.

Sad tree loss

Adam Bennett tree down, Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, SC   

I had read about the loss of this grand tree during Hurricane Matthew but it hit me fresh when I had to walk around it on a recent visit to Magnolia Plantation Gardens. Here is the story as told by the Post & Courier:

Magnolia Plantation lost the Adam Bennett tree, a huge oak near the Drayton family tomb in the center of the garden. The tree is 4 feet across and snapped off near the ground, according to Tom Johnson, the director of gardens. Fortunately, it didn’t fall on the tomb.

Adam Bennett was a slave who oversaw the gardens. He stayed behind when the family fled to Flat Rock, N.C., as Union troops approached. According to the stories, soldiers tied him to the tree and threatened to hang him when he refused to tell them where the family silver was buried. They let him live and burned down the house. Supposedly, he walked all the way to Flat Rock to tell the family the news.

Mr. Bennett walked from Charleston all the way to Flat Rock, North Carolina to let his slave owners know their silver was safe from the Union troops. By my calculations he walked 245 miles.

I do admit to sneaking a look around the uprooted stump just in case any forgotten silver had been buried there. No luck.

Now this, is a tree!

McLeod Oak, Charleston, SC 

I have a new favorite tree (as I often do)! This one is the McLeod Plantation Oak tree and is estimated to be 600 years old.

Happy 312 birthday!

Eutawville, S.C.

 A round of applause please, for the latest tree award.

I spotted a new sign under this impressive live oak tree in Eutawville and made a quick stop to see what honors it had been awarded. Three hundred and twelve years! Not too shabby. The grand-dame has seen a lot in her lifetime.

I might commission a sign like this for my next birthday. Wherever I sit down I will have it on a stand in front of me declaring my impressive age and a summary of what has happened in my lifetime. 

Foggy Mornings

Live oaks in the fog, Charleston, S,C.

It was beautiful but frighteningly foggy on my way to work this morning. I passed what looked like a serious accident and was happy to arrive safely myself. This was that I walked through from my car to my office. I don't have much to complain about do I?

Restaurant week jackpot at Al Di La this evening with a couple friends from work. I have some tasty leftovers tucked away in my frig for tomorrow. Now, I am going to settle down for a cheery (not!) little PBS Frontline documentary on North Korea that I recorded last night.

Foggy mornings

Foggy morning in Charleston, S.C.

These foggy mornings have all of us reaching for our cameras. The fog had almost lifted by the time I got West Ashley but this is from my walk across the parking lot to the hospital. Our garden with it's giant oak trees is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

I have ginger snaps in the oven and it's smelling pretty good in here!

See the tree, dear?

Deer Head Oak, McClellanville, S.C.

See the deer? Nope. Neither do I. It is a magnificent oak tree but it is called Deer Head Oak Tree and although I squinted, stared and circled the tree, I can't see it.

The Deerhead Oak is both larger in circumference, 30.6 feet, and height, 67 feet, than the famed Angel Oak on Johns Island, SC estimated by some to be more than 1,500 years old and thought to be the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi River. Of course, it is hard to estimate the age of these ancient trees, which predate the discovery of America by the Europeans, because boring samples are not reliable due to a tendency for the live oaks heart wood to rot.
It takes some creativity to see the deer head, with its knobby eyes and nose and long antler branches, but no matter if you can't. The value in the tree comes not from its likeness to an animal, but from its beauty and history.

A giant oak stands in the town,
Its known as the Deer Head Tree.
Surely the oldest living thing
Within our community.
For centuries rooted in place,
Watching the seasons pass.
No telling just how old it is,
Or how long yet it may last.
I sometimes wonder if this old tree
Had senses and wit ad tongue,
What stories it might tell us,
Of events since it was young.
~By James O. McClellan

They are correct. If it is 1,500 years old it may have looked like a deer, five hundred years ago. It is a grand dear tree. 

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.

Ancient Oaks and Spanish Moss

Live Oak with Spanish Moss, Moncks Corner, S.C.

This is the kind of weekend it was. A bright shiny gift. Now we have revived enough to stand a little more cold weather if necessary.

Unrelated to this beautiful tree, I love this story in the Post and Courier by Brenda Rindge about the kids selling painted and decorated keys to raise money for Crisis Ministries to build their new shelter. I'm sure the parents steered them but how cool that they have taken on the project. Let's spread the word. I think I'll send them some money. Article here: Kids Hold Keys to Caring.

The Legend of Healing Oak

Charleston, S.C.

Hit by a bolt of lightning years ago, the ancient oak split down the middle and continued to grow in two separate directions. The legend passed down for generations is that the tree absorbed the energy from the lightning and became a healing force often bringing about miracle cures.

Or………the other story is, I was walking to my car yesterday and noticed the crutches laying under the tree. I told myself that if they were still there in the morning I'd carry them into the hospital. I got my camera to take a picture and coming from my cool office to the humid heat the lens clouded up and gave the photo a decidedly spooky look. Boo!

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

Favorite Tree Nominee

Charleston, S.C.

On the off chance that you don't already have a favorite tree in your life, I am submitting this live oak for your consideration.

There is always music amongst the trees in the Garden,
but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.
~Minnie Aumonier

Under the Oaks

Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Charleston, S.C.

I was asked to give the reflection/prayer before our hospital manager's meeting yesterday and couldn't be there. I left this little video to play instead and from what I hear it was a big hit. Much better than me trying to pray in public!

I took these pictures entirely on our hospital campus. See what you think. Do I work in the most beautiful place in the world? How perfect for a hospital to have a healing garden like this for those who are suffering and in pain. If you live in Charleston, please know that you are welcome to visit our garden under the oaks.

PS: The one picture I did not take was the cool rainbow shot. One of the construction workers shared that one with me.

Pouring Rain

Charleston, S.C.

Weather is a great metaphor for life,
sometimes it's good,
sometimes it's bad,
and there's nothing much you can do about it
but carry an umbrella.

Pepper Giardino

The Great Grandmama of the Live Oaks

Angel Oak, Johns Island, S.C.

I am having a solitary day and paid a visit to the grandmother of all oak trees - the Angel Oak on Johns Island. I could have stayed all morning offering to take family pictures of fellow tree worshipers so they could all be in their pictures. It's a peaceful crowd who come to wander under limbs so heavy they curl around on the ground propped on blocks of wood. Visitors nod as if we recognize each other aware of why we've come.

She is a difficult tree to get a picture of and the results are always disappointing after the grandeur of the experience. I'll be back to try again.

According to SCIWay
The Angel Oak on Johns Island is believed to be between 500 and 1,500 years old, making it one of the oldest live oaks in the country. While its height of 65 feet may not be impressive, the shaded area covered by its foliage extends over 17,000 square feet!

Edit: Check out this same day entry: Laughing Soul

Old Trees

The Garden under the Oaks, Charleston, S.C.

It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit. Robert Louis Stevenson

Most of the pictures of the lovely oak trees I post are taken on my walk from my car to my office in the morning. I've been enjoying showing you a sneak peak at this lovely meditation garden. It's always been a beautiful spot, and is absolutely incredible now.

We are waiting delivery of a life size statue of Jesus that is being hand carved by a sculptor in Ohio. Opening festivities are being planned for when the final touches are in place but awestruck visitors are discovering it and slipping in already. Bring your camera. Holler if you need directions.

Accidental Filter

Charleston, S.C.

Like this accidental vignette filter? It is a budget filter effect caused by taking a camera out of deliciously cool air conditioning to our humid heat. I took a few shots as the lens gradually cleared from the inside out. Neato.

This is the new meditation walking labyrinth in the gardens under the oaks at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. The fence is down, the fountains is bubbling but it hasn't been formally opened so you are getting a sneak preview foggy peak at it. It is a breathtaking spot.

Green Churchyard with a Light and Pleasant Awning

from The Excursion: "The Pastor"

...to a spot
Where sun and shade were intermixed; for there
A broad Oak, stretching forth its leafy arms
From an adjoining pasture, overhung
Small space of that green churchyard with a light
And pleasant awning. On the moss-grown wall
My ancient friend and I together took
Our seats...

William Wordsworth


Taken this morning between meetings, right before it started to rain and I slipped on the gravel, fell face forward with one arm raised, thinking, "Save the camera, save the camera!"