Tag Archives: Oaks of Coastal Georgia

Candler Oak, Savannah

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Savannah may be as well known for its moss-draped ancient oaks as for its superb architecture, and the Candler Oak may just be the biggest and oldest of them all. Located about midway on the Drayton Street side of Forsyth Park, this regal oak is 54-feet tall, boasts a circumference of 17-feet, and has a crown spread of over 110-feet.

It’s older than Georgia itself, and at approximately 300 years old, is believed to have been a sapling in the early 1700s. By the time its branches shaded Union prisoners held in stockade here during the Civil War, it was already a substantial tree. From 1819 until 1980, the tree was a well-known landmark on the grounds of the Savannah Poor House & Hospital and Candler Hospital [the tree’s namesake]. It’s now adjacent to SCAD’s Deloitte Foundry.

It was nearly lost to progress and development, but was saved by the Savannah Tree Foundation in 1982, when that group obtained a conservation easement of 6,804 feet that insured its protection well into the future. This is the first known easement for a single tree. It’s now held together by screws and cables, surrounded by a formidable fence, and monitored by 24-hour video surveillance. Hopefully, all these protections will allow it to live long into the future.


Savannah Historic District, National Historic Landmark

Live Oaks of Broadfield Plantation, Glynn County

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The grove of Live Oaks (Quercus virginiana) marking the entrance to Hofwyl House and its dependencies at Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation is one of the great natural public spaces on the Georgia coast.

While the structures are a significant resource, the real attraction for many are the oaks located all over the property. Individually, the trees are objects of awe and wonder; collectively, they’re a natural cathedral.

As is common with many Live Oaks on the coast, some specimens appear to have been uprooted.

These giants are miraculous in their curious ability to grow this way, often living and prospering for centuries.

Spanish Moss is the natural ornament most associated with the Live Oak, and it’s especially abundant here.

There’s also lots of Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides).

Some of these trees are estimated to be between 500-800 years old.

Two are members of the Louisiana Live Oak Society Tree Registry, which documents significant specimens throughout the Southeast.

National Register of Historic Places

Lover’s Oak, Brunswick

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Located at the corner of Prince and Albany Streets, this tree is said to be over 900 years old, though that may be a bit exaggerated. It derives its name from the legend that Native Americans met here in courtship. It was recognized in 1987 by the National Arborists Association as having been alive at the time of the signing of the United States Constitution.

Brunswick Old Town Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Wind Worn Oak, Jekyll Island

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The effects of wind and sand over time stunt the growth of the trees along the shoreline and create magical patterns. This one near the middle of the island was shot at night.

Barbour River Landscape, Harris Neck

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Though most current web searches return this location as the Barbour Island River, I will go with the designation given it by the National Park Service at the nearby landing: Barbour River. It’s called the Barbour Island River by some, because its course essentially forms the eastern and southern boundary of Barbour Island; because the application of the term river to the course is relatively recent, I prefer to omit the additional geographical identifier (island) from the name.