Middleton and Angel Oaks

[eliahd24]

Video of the Angel Oak from 2009. This tree has the largest (documented) maximum spread of any measured live oak.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GePyI7Z0y0w

~Eli

[James Parton]

I visited the Angel Oak back in spring 2007. It may be the most beautiful tree I have ever seen. It is certainly a contender.

[eliahd24]

I wanted to not believe the hype about this tree for some reason, but alas I have to agree with you. The Angel Oak is truly the most beautiful oak tree I've ever seen. I try to visit everytime I see family in Charleston.

[Marcboston]

How did the late Wye Oak compare in size to the Middleton and Angel Oak. I am aware that the Wye Oak was a White Oak but curious only because it was such a monster for its species. Cannot wait to hear back on this one.

[bbeduhn]

Wye Oak & Angel Oak info is from Wikipedia, with an update from ENTS. Middleton Oak is from the ENTS site from the volume measurement of 2004.
Some stats:

Wye Oak 2002
31'10" cbh 96' height 119' spread approx. 5,000 ft3

Middleton Oak 2004
32'9" cbh 67' height 118' spread 4,820 ft3
currently, closer to 4,000 ft3

Angel Oak
28' cbh 65' height 180' max spread (not sure this qualifies as average spread)
28'5" cbh 60'10" height 10/23/10
25'5" is listed at the tree itself

[eliahd24]

Anybody interested in volume mapping the Angel Oak? I've seen the Middleton Oak since it dropped those big limbs and I'm almost certain the Angel Oak is much bigger. After reading the post about the giant Tuliptree in the Smokies, it makes me wonder again how short fat trees like live oaks will stack up to the enormous tulips of the southern appalachians.

I've only done tree climbing recreationally a few times, but I'd be happy to do the legwork and try to set up a climb/mapping session of the Angel Oak if I could get some climbers/researchers on board... just putting it out there.

[bbeduhn]

I may try to do a rough estimate to see if it really is in the ball park with Middleton. I'll be there in September. I don't know much at all about volume mapping so I may be significantly off but I feel the need to spend some time with the tree so I'll give it a try.

[eliahd24]

If you want help, shoot me an email off list: eli_dickerson@yahoo.com

I've got family in Charleston and it's only a 5 hour drive for me here in Atlanta.