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All the United States Georgia Saint Simons Island Saint Simons Island Tree Spirits

Saint Simons Island Tree Spirits

Carved faces add a touch of magic to this island's impressive oak trees.

Saint Simons Island, Georgia

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Kerry Wolfe
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A tree spirit.   popofatticus/CC BY 2.0
About 20 carvings are scattered around the island.   Marcie Hunter
A tree spirit.   Marcie Hunter
The island is known for its impressive oak trees.   Bubba73 (Jud McCranie)/CC BY-SA 4.0
A tree spirit at night.   Becky Striepe/CC BY-SA 2.0
Cora The Mermaid   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
  mdm335 / Atlas Obscura User
A tree spirit   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
Spirit tree at Welcome Center   mdm335 / Atlas Obscura User
  mdm335 / Atlas Obscura User
  mdm335 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Carved faces peer out from the old oak trees scattered around Saint Simons Island, a barrier island off the coast of Georgia. The weathered wooden facades, dubbed the "tree spirits," are a beloved addition to the island’s towering flora.

Saint Simons is known for its impressive oaks. In the island’s early years, it boasted a prosperous lumber industry. Timbers from Saint Simons were even used to construct the Brooklyn bridge in 1874.

Though they may look like an ancient source of forest magic, the tree carvings were created by local artist Keith Jennings, who says the faces are a reflection of his personal connection with the trees on his island home. The individual oaks influence each unique work of art.

Jennings began bringing the tree spirits to life in the 1980s. Each face is carved by hand and takes anywhere from two to four days to create. According to local legend, the spirits immortalize the sailors who were lost at sea while journeying aboard ships made from Saint Simons oaks. 

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Trees Islands Art Sculptures Nature Plants

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The GPS coordinates and address lead to the tree carving outside Murphy's Tavern. The other tree spirits are scattered throughout the island. Finding one is like finding a lost treasure.

Community Contributors

Added By

Kerry Wolfe

Edited By

leslipeterson, blimpcaptain, mdm335

  • leslipeterson
  • blimpcaptain
  • mdm335

Published

August 9, 2017

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Sources
  • goldenisles.com
  • http://www.goldenisles.com/lore-legends-of-golden-isles/tree-spirits-of-st-simons-island
  • http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/10292
  • http://www.goldenisles.com/files/tree_spirit_map_full_page.pdf
  • http://www.explorestsimonsisland.com/St_Simons_History.html#Avenue_of_Oaks
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Simons,_Georgia
  • https://www.facebook.com/St.SimonsTreeSpirits
  • http://mymodernmet.com/keith-jennings-spirit-trees/
  • http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/TreeTalk/Archive/StSimonsTreeSpirits.cfm
  • https://365atlantatraveler.com/st-simons-island/
Saint Simons Island Tree Spirits
415 Mallery St
Saint Simons Island, Georgia
United States
31.137686, -81.397477
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Nearby Places

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Saint Simons Island

Saint Simons Island

Georgia

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Photo of Saint Simons Island

Saint Simons Island

Georgia

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