SAVE THE ANGEL OAK ON JOHNS ISLAND, SC
Charleston City Council has just approved a plan to put 600 homes and a shopping center on the property surrounding the Angel Oak, on Johns Island, SC.
This development will surround and imperil the Angel Oak. The developers also want to cut down or harm 55 other grand trees so they can squeeze in as many buildings as possible! The development will also ask to fill in over 4 acres of wetlands, an important habitat for countless species of animals.
Grand trees are supposed to be protected by law, but the developers are seeking a variance from the city's Board of Zoning Appeals so they can cut down these trees anyway.
Tell the Board of Zoning Appeals WE SAY NO! The Angel Oak is one of the most beautiful and important parts of our island -- and our nation!
Please call Samantha Siegel at 843-367-3664 or visit http://www.savetheangeloak.org/ if you want to help out in the fight against this terrible plan. Thank you everyone!
Charleston City Council has just approved a plan to put 600 homes and a shopping center on the property surrounding the Angel Oak, on Johns Island, SC.
This development will surround and imperil the Angel Oak. The developers also want to cut down or harm 55 other grand trees so they can squeeze in as many buildings as possible! The development will also ask to fill in over 4 acres of wetlands, an important habitat for countless species of animals.
Grand trees are supposed to be protected by law, but the developers are seeking a variance from the city's Board of Zoning Appeals so they can cut down these trees anyway.
Tell the Board of Zoning Appeals WE SAY NO! The Angel Oak is one of the most beautiful and important parts of our island -- and our nation!
Please call Samantha Siegel at 843-367-3664 or visit http://www.savetheangeloak.org/ if you want to help out in the fight against this terrible plan. Thank you everyone!
are writing today on behalf of a number of concerned South Carolina citzens, but also a number of citzens from around the country, and around the globe.
The approval of the "Angel Oak Village" plan to put up 600 family homes and a shopping center on the property surrounding the Angel Oak, on Johns Island, SC, is going to be devasting to the historic live oak.
No one knows the actual age of the tree, because the only way to determine the age of a live oak is to cut it open and count the rings. It is rumored to be over 1400 years old.
Whatever its actual age, the tree is colossal, and it is ancient. It stands proudly in an obscure wooded area on Johns Island. It stands sixty-five feet tall; with the longest limb extending eighty-nine feet long and the tree's canopy shading an area of 17,100 square feet.
Imagine the things this amazing live oak tree has lived to see. It is a truly remarkable natural wonder that inspires people daily.
When developing their new community so close to the Angel Oak, builders will have to cut down many trees in the wooded area surrounding the historic tree. In doing so, the Angel Oak will be left unprotected against natural elements it has not been exposed to. The tree will be extremely vulnerable and mostly likely die. I have consulted with numerous forestry experts and soil experts and would urge you to make sure a stringent enviromental case study was performed to verify this as well.
In a town that is so well known for preserving its past and protecting its natural beauty and charm, I find it incredibly surprising and tragic that the Charleston City Council would approve this project.
There has been an almost perfect balance between all of the elements of the forest, which is the only reason the Angel Oak has stood the test of time.
Please help me save this tree from destruction at the hands of men, when it has survived the fury of mother nature for so long. I am sure you are aware of the awe-inpiring power of this tree. Please do not let on of our last natural, historical features to be bulldozed for housing and shopping. There is plenty of land to build on, but only one Angel Oak.
Whether it is the drainage patterns, wind and sun exposure from cutting down similar trees, or the litter and graffitti that will not only come with the construction crews, but from residents of the new "Angel Oak Village" and shoppers alike, the Angel Oak will suffer and chances are, will die.
If this plan goes through, the city of Charleston will loose a lot of respect in the historical preservation and conservation department. It is our responisblity to preserve these landmarks for the next generation.
Thank you so much for your time in this matter.
-Samantha Siegel
stop
Dear Board of Zoning Appeals, Please protect our grand oaks and preserve the land they live on. Angel Oak lives in undisturbed soils. Her roots are extensive and if harmed by development will take away a one of our most well known natural historic landmarks. Not only does she need root protect, but also coverage from all other existing trees/grand oaks in the area for wind protection. Please relocate this project. Please protect our natural wonder-Angel Oak. -Kaleigh Monahan, M.S., L.M.T.
These trees truly represent what the value of our world really is, and what it should remain to be. Such pieces of nature are few and far between. Animals can grow and become magnificent spectacles of what nature intended them to be, but they eventually die out some day. These trees have amazing life spans and almost seem endless. Build the housing somewhere else and witness that this tree will be still standing long after the stores are built, then quickly demolished for the next big name to try to take its place. Don't ruin such a long lasting beauty for something that is such a short and fickle fix.
Like any old tree it should be protected by law and the city of Charleston has the obligation and duty to do the right thing..... protect it for future generations to enjoy and not some builder to profit by.
Why, oh why would you cut down 55 grand trees??? For what greater good? And, the development around the Angel Oak Tree will certainly damage it's root system and the ground around it. All in the name of the almighty dollar? This is disgraceful! SC is already nationally (and internationally) known for numerous super stupid things that we do. Please don't help make us look even more dumb! DON'T DO IT! Please!
NO!!!!!! DONT DO IT!!!! These trees are AMAZING! GO BUILD SOMEWHERE ELSE
MY TREE IS MY LIFE! Please DON'T HURT HER!!!!!!!!!!! xo-jeni
I grew up on John's Island lived their for 27 years and loved going to the oak tree. This tree is the oldest living thing this side of the Mississippi River. It is beautifull and should not be destoried. Please don't let them do this. Thanks Carolyn Sanders
The Angel Oak has been a visitors' attraction, one of those uniquely John's Island locations, where families have taken freinds and family for years. It has stood silent witness to all the history of our island, and now we feel the need to tear it down for housing? So many other places are suitable, without losing something that once gone, can never, ever be replaced.
Can they NOT build around the tree? Create a court yard around the tree. A green area around a development.
How dare you consider destroying a piece of living history for silly creature comforts?? Already we're desperately needing to save our environment and I need not go into details-listen closely to your local news-and yet man's selfishness continues to destroy...shame on you!
PLEASE dont take away the history the beauty go sit under the Angel 1 day when the world is closeing in and things will look better THere are other places to build go find them else where
Too many centruries-old woodlands are being destroyed by development. The Angel Oak is beyond value, but so are the woodlands providing windbreak protection and also ensuring the viability of the earth beneath the great tree. Please, relocate this development.
My fiancee and i visited the angel tree in Aug 09 it was incredible . This whole are should be protected . I cant believe these devlopers think they would have the right to take something so pecious from this generation and future ones. It would not only be sad it would be a sin.
The angel oak and surrounding forest are some of the most beautiful parts of the lowcountry. Please ensure that it's natural habitat is protected and maintained. This wonderful part of our community must be preserved at all costs.
On behalf of all who reside in Rockville, MD...THIS TREE MUST STAND!!!!
Please save the oak. It is so venerable and should be honored as a national treasure.
For centuries the Angel Oak has lived, slowly spreading its magnificent limbs to welcome all who rest beneath its branches. I visited twice this summer, and both times I was overcome with emotion just to be in its presence. It is a regional treasure which can not be replaced. Ever. Developing the land surrounding it would endanger its survival. And there are, after all, some things more important than money.
the city should find a way to turn the surrounding area into a nature preserve/public park with hiking trails.
Please save the trees! Build somewhere else!
What ever it takes save this tree.This is a magical place you can feel the peace of God when you walk into park.Stop this greed protect what God has blessed us with.
Please preserve this beautiful piece of nature !!
I was just in Charleston, South Carolina at the end of September for a weekend visit. As something free and fun to do, we stopped by the Angel Oak tree. It is magnificent! Please do whatever it takes to preserve the tree and this includes the surrounding area!
This area should be in a protected park instead of a development .This is only greed not need that motivates.This tree has seen this nation grow from piligrim to present. Destroying it or any of fine trees around it would be a sin.
Trees are finite and precious. Let's learn to live with them instead of harming them!
i lived in south carolina thirty-five years ago and I remember these oaks which have been there for a very long time. it is a beautiful area. don't destroy it. remember the example of the Brazilian rain forest deforestations.
I am amazed this is even necessary. This tree is over 1400 years old!
Save this majestic Oak! There are so few places left on earth that can transform, calm and teach. Do not develop the property. It's greedy and unnecessary and you will contribute to the ever-increasing rapid destruction of our planet.
Went to go see this tree on our vaction to south carolina. my husband and I loved it and its amazing that nature can sustain such things like hurricans.
This tree is so magical and really touched me and changed my life and view on things. This tree is a piece of god's work and is truely special, you can feel the magic as soon as you step onto the park... please protect our beautiful tree for it has been through so much and has been here before columbus. This would be such a dissapointment and a true statement that we are cutting more trees and ruining more animals habitats..please save this piece of land and our beautiful nature of south carolina... please do not do this.
You shouldn't cut down trees that are protected by law. Why displace so many animals and their habitat? Why destroy something that is so famous and has been featured in so many movies? Did you ever think that if you build over those wetlands that if a hurricane were to hit flooding will occur.. then you would have a whole other set of problems... Anyone who lives in the area already knows we are below sea level and that area would be greatly impacted with just the right storm. Learn from the past like hurricane Katrina, not only would you have to make sure the land is secure you also have to build dams from flooding from local inlets... and we all know that things just are not built the way they used too... and knowing that your company with probably try to save money building this dam you will use slipshod material and cheep labor to build it along with the homes and businesses there. Just leave that land alone and quit trying to be greedy. Yes we could use the growth but why not try up in Jedburg or Moncks corner where you could save people property taxes and bring homes more inland away from storms. Plus with the new Roper hospital being built out there. why not build out there and bring buisness to that area??
I have always gone to visit Angel Oak when I was a child. I'm now 26 with a child of my own, and have been starting the tradition with him. One of my favorite things growing up, and still is to this day, about visiting the oak is the drive there. The forest is so beautiful and it's because of that forest that we can show my son the wildlife while we are visiting the oak. If you cut all that down, what will there be for my son so see? These trees are a part of Charleston history, a history that no one seems to care much about anymore. In this economic crisis how is it that we can build homes and shopping centers, especially when so many homes are being forclosed on now. Show everyone that history, not shopping centers and homes, mean more to Charleston. Save Angel Oak. Save it for you, your children, and your great grandchildren.
Urban sprawl will continue to destroy nature if we don't voice our opinion and tell developers to STOP BUILDING on undeveloped land. Build upward instead of outward and start developing with the environment in mind instead of quick monetary gain.
