The Angel Oak tree in John's Island, South Carolina, is the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi River.  It is 1,500 years old.  It is a live oak tree.  An imposing work of nature, it stands 65 feet high and a diameter of 160 feet.  It's canopy provides 1,700 square feet of shade.  It has survived countless storms, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and human interference.  photo by David Peterson