The Widowmaker Tree - James Island
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The Widowmaker Tree - James Island ... This is in response to a question entering about a month ago regarding the Widowmaker Tree on Riverland Drive in James Island.
First, this is my best attempt at answering this subject question. I do not claim anything in this answer to be factual, but it’s my best go at it.
The Widowmaker Tree[edit]
Riverland drive Is a two lane road that runs along the water edge side of James Island, South Carolina. The 4.85 mile road was designated a state scenic byways in 1988. It has been paved and maintained by the funding from the Charleston County Pavement Management System. After speaking with a few locals, they claim it [Riverland Drive] has been paved longer then they can remember and suspect that it was converted from a dirt road in the early 1980’s/ late 70's and resurfaced more recently, within the past 5 or 6 years.
In 2016, funds from the ½ cent sales tax increase were approved to develop a recently completed loop at a busy intersection in the stretch developed to help reduce accidents.
According to SCDOT Highways Safety Office; traffic volumes have increased 57% over the last twenty years leading to over 29 collisions from Jan 2005-april 2013. Specifically dangerous is the final a tree lined drive segment of Riverland Drive @ Camp Road intersection to the North Grimball road @ Folly Rd until it termination. The posted speed limit increases from 35 – 40 ,however, with only two intersecting streets, the result is a tendency of drivers to increase their speed well beyond the additional 5MPH. When traveling south from Johns Island toward Folly, the tree lined property on the right hand side is known as Dill Sanctuary, owned and operated by the Charleston Museum. It is often times associated with the Battle of Grimballs in 1863, Fort Llamar, the Island of Saint Sol Legare and The Battle of Secessionville and is preserved by the American Battlefield Protection Program. You’ll know you have found it when see the hilly terrain which is an ironic contradiction in the Lowcountry. These manmade defenses built during both the Civil and Revolutionary war period remaining in part of this protected and undeveloped area.
In the midst of this stretch of Riverland Drive you’ll find a large Southern Live Oak (think of a smaller Angel Oak tree) on the right hand side at the blind terminus of a slight curve adorning a small hand-painted sign about 10-12 feet up from the base of the tree with reflectors on both the left and right sides so that even at night you can see it far in advance designating it “THE WIDOWMAKER”. Scars at the base of the tree make it clear the Widowmaker has taken more than a few bumps in its time. Some say; it has been hit so many times that its growth has been stunted. On any given day you can see the remnants of some unfortunate souls vehicles embedded into beast.
Why is it called the widowmaker?
I found it interesting that this is a logger’s term &nonetheless, fitting of the tree.
Widowmaker Definition Via Google:
WIdowmakers are branches around trees that look dead or broken. These fractured branches are usually light-coloured and are difficult to spot, especially in a broad canopy. That’s why it can cause accidents and death of loggers and tree fellers, hence the name.
The positioning of the tree so close to the road, the lack of artificial light, and the lull of open and unwavering asphalt leading up to the tree, result in reports of rather regular collisions. An unnamed EMS member noted that this tree once infamously reported two major accidents in the same day. It is rumored the tree has produced fatal accidents, but I was not able to verify. It is a scenario that is not hard to imagine once you get a glimpse of the wounds left behind on the tree combined with the shear girth of the trunk at its base.
As far as the sign being posted, is anyone’s guess. In my opinion, let’s encourage the sign to bring as much attention to the tree as possible. If more drivers are aware of its placement, they will be less likely to unwillingly contribute their own story to the lore surrounding the tree. The tree has been here for hundreds of years. Don’t let “The Widowmaker” claim you.
References[edit]
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