Angel Oak, a southern live oak in Angel Oak Park on Johns Island near Charleston, South Carolina, is estimated to be 400 to 500 years old and is among the best-known individual trees in the American South. Protected as a landmark within a public park, it is notable for its great size and far-reaching branches. Named for the estate of Justus and Martha Waight Tucker Angel, it is also surrounded by local folklore. After suffering severe damage in Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the tree recovered and later became the focus of preservation efforts that helped protect nearby land from development, reinforcing its status as both a natural monument and cultural symbol.