The Alligator Oak, circumference 18 feet, 7 1/2 inches, stands in the graveyard of the First United Methodist Church in downtown Conway where it has stood since 1537! It’s a Live Oak, a tree used extensively in America’s history by shipbuilders. The “knees” (where branches join the trunk) made incredibly strong joints that were used to brace ships’ sides for many years, until wood was replaced by steel.
There are other live oaks in South Carolina that rival it in age, but if you look closely you can see the eye of an alligator in the bark on the left side, with a snout running down the tree and beneath the brick retaining wall.
There are other live oaks in South Carolina that rival it in age, but if you look closely you can see the eye of an alligator in the bark on the left side, with a snout running down the tree and beneath the brick retaining wall.
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(I want to assure everyone that we do know how to change a tire and we do have a spare tire! There are times it is not wise to do it yourself, and this was one of them. The Writer had had recent surgery, it was 101 degrees in the shade, and I cannot lift tires like this up onto a jacked up wheel or back into the car over the tailgate. We carry roadside assistance insurance and were grateful to the nice guy who came eventually and apologized for the long delay.)
I can see the alligator!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful old tree and it is quite wonderful that it has survived so long without someone cutting it down. Maybe they thought if they tried the alligator would bite them!
ReplyDeleteFantastic
ReplyDeleteColin
I like how they cut away part of the brick wall to make room for the roots.
ReplyDeleteMany people had the smarts to leave this tree alone so that we could enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing tree, so old and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonder that it hadn't been cut down, so pleased it hasn't
This is amazing! Last year on our East Coast road trip we passed north Conway downtown, but we didn't have time to visit there.
ReplyDeleteOh my! It really does look like an alligator. I love it. It's a gorgeous tree.
ReplyDeleteIncredible, it looked exactly like an alligator, wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI see the alligator, plain as day!! That is a beautiful tree. You make me want to move back to South Carolina.
ReplyDeleteI need to visit more in South Carolina. I see the alligator eye plain as day. What a tree! I see where it's even grown in the side wall. Huge.
ReplyDeleteWhat a magnificent tree. I hope it is protected so that it is still around for another 500 years.
ReplyDeleteThat is one impressive tree - bet it could tell a few tales!
ReplyDeleteWren x
Wow, what a tree and still there for all those years.
ReplyDeleteThat is one big tree! I cannot lift a tire either...so I would call for assistance too:)
ReplyDelete