Tree Spirits
In exploring St. Simons Island, it’s possible, if you look closely at the majestic oak trees that cover the island, you might actually catch them looking back at you.
There, peering out from the trunk, from between two huge branches or from the stub of a long-vanished branch, you may see the unmistakable image of a weathered face.
These are the lovingly carved faces, Tree Spirits of St. Simons Island emerging from the trees. The images, created by skilled hands immortalize the countless sailors who lost their lives at sea aboard the mighty sailing ships that were once made from St. Simons Island oak.
Their sad, sorrowful expressions seem to reflect the grieving appearance of the trees themselves with their drooping branches and moss hanging limply down to the ground.
Have you ever visited a place many times—-loved the place but never paid attention to its history—yet it is all around you—well I have.
I have no idea the number of times I have visited St. Simons Island and never knew—about the spirits that existed there—not just any spirits—-and by no means am I talking about the spirits that come from the bottle—you know strong distilled alcoholic liquor but we have a lot of that there—-I am talking about the tree spirits.
I know I hear you now—-What are tree spirits?
The question is best not answered by me in my soft sweet southern drawl but in the voice of a gruff old man who speaks with a distinct Gullah dialect—-and this is his story:
“Tree Spirits, they are all over the island.
Hundreds of ships were built from St. Simons oak but the sea winds were unkind to those ships. The faces in the trees are the faces of the tree spirits who never left the island but grieve for those that were lost at sea.
They stand as a warning that if you take wood away from St. Simons, the wind will make you pay.Watch for the face carved in the tree, but do not look back.
It is bad luck to look back at the face of a tree spirit.”
In exploring St. Simons Island, it’s possible, if you look closely at the majestic oak trees that cover the island, you might actually catch them looking back at you.
There, peering out from the trunk, from between two huge branches or from the stub of a long-vanished branch, you may see the unmistakable image of a weathered face.
These are the lovingly carved faces, Tree Spirits of St. Simons Island emerging from the trees. The images, created by skilled hands immortalize the countless sailors who lost their lives at sea aboard the mighty sailing ships that were once made from St. Simons Island oak.
Their sad, sorrowful expressions seem to reflect the grieving appearance of the trees themselves with their drooping branches and moss hanging limply down to the ground.
These carvings are the creations of North Carolina sculptor, Keith Jennings.
He has carved faces into tree hollows on the stumps of long ago severed branches and into the heart of the oak. A look at the “Tree Spirits” will have you coming away thinking about the resigned expressions of doomed men peering sightlessly from the branches—the images will be etched in your memory forever—haunting images—-the “Tree Spirits”
Oh they might have you looking “back” to see is the front and the back the same—the beginning and the end (sort of)—just remember don’t look back at the face of a tree spirit—it is bad luck. No you were not indulging in the spirits—-it is the same.
Yes I do love Georgia—and its history—oh and I love life and having fun.—I know you do as well—
August 8th, 2007 at 10:40 am
hello miss vickie. i am surprised you got 10 views on your post and no replies. i liked your story and it was very interesting.. if people visit your blog and walkers and mine some times they might learn a few things. i sure would hate to upset the spirits because my luck is usually bad in the first place.
is it hot here in ga. or what? this year is so much worse than last year. i got in my 73 olds98 this morning and went to the tire store and had them put on two new tires . my olds does not have air conditioning so i know exactly how hot it is . some people spend little time in the heat but they are always the first to tell you how hot it is. their house has air conditioning and their car and their job so the only time they know how hot it is is when they go from one to the other. i, on the other hand, no exactly how hot it is.
well i got my dsl in now. it does not maintain the speed they say it will but it is a lot faster than dial up so i am going to keep it for a while. maybe later on i will change to cable . i know comcast is faster than bell south but most of the time i don’t need all that speed any way. i am 62 years old and i come from a generation that is use to less rather than more . i have learned to make do when ever i had to . when some thing new comes out a lot of people go right out and get the new stuff and 5 to 10 years later i might try it. i have had dial up for several years now and i just finally got dsl last week. i found that even bad dsl and a bad dsl speed is a lot better than dial up.
well you may only get a few replies but this one will be a long one. i like to ramble on and thats why my blog is called ramblin on.
well have a good one miss vickie and i will talk at you soon.
mrh.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Well give us chance, I’ve only just seen the post
That’s really something special, with a story and superstition. It looks really neat. Now I’ve got to get to bed!!! Have a great day!
August 8th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
the carvings are amazing…I would have thought they would have hurt the tree to do that…thanks for sharing.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Now that is just awesome! And kind of spooky in a way. I never knew about the tree spirits. Thanks for sharing!
August 9th, 2007 at 12:04 am
That was a great post Vickie. What an amazing place!! Don’t you just love a bit of folklore to make it even more interesting? Glad to hear that you are enjoying life and your love for where you live shines out of every post like a Georgia lighthouse.
August 9th, 2007 at 4:08 am
Hi Vickie ~~ Those trees are wonderful,
thanks for showing them to us. Looks like a great place to visit. Thank you for your kind words about my blog - I am glad that you enjoy my posts and photos. Thank you also for your good wishes for my grandson, Joh as he enters th sAust, Defense Forces. He is not afraid of hard work and is full of enthusiasm, so I am hoping he will enjoy his training. Take great care of yourself, Vickie. Love, Merle.
August 9th, 2007 at 11:10 am
That’s just fascinating!
August 9th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
What a beautiful and moving tribute to those sailors lost. Thanks for sharing the history of your area.
August 9th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Those trees are simply haunting. It must be quite the experience to view them in person. Thank you for sharing.
August 9th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
You never cease to amaze me with your posts, Ms. Vickie. I’ve loved learning about the great State of Georgia. Living as close as I do, you’d think I knew more than I do! Thanks to you, now I know more.
Stay out of that heat as much as you can. It is horrific. I was doing yardwork today, and had to come in every few minutes. Humidity is awful. Take care!
August 9th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Thanks Vickie for that amazing post. The carvings are beatifully done, how can one not look at them? Coupled with the history of the lost sailors makes them full of bitersweet mystery. You sound so happy. Glad things are going well again.
August 9th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
I love the way the carvings bring out the inner soul of the trees and giving them a personality we could relate to.
Thanks for pointing this out.
Its amazing what is around us that we don’t notice but when we do we find the treasure we never knew we had.
Great post
August 9th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Vickie, those tree spirits are amazing…! They look like real faces. I could actually see the spirits in them. What a fascinating place. I’m going to Google the island now and look at some more of it.
I have been wanting to ask you how your friend’s daughter is?
Cheers,
Josie
August 10th, 2007 at 9:25 am
how cool!
interesting spirits..kinda creepy because they look like they could get cranky but cool nonetheless
August 10th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
My hubby went to St. Simons years agao, and said it was a facinating place, but he’d never tell me why–said he wanted me to find out for myself.
That was an awesome post–I definitely plan to visit there soon.
August 10th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Such a beautiful tribute to those whose lives were lost. Trees really are incredible things, aren’t they? Just once I’d love to be near a giant redwood.
August 10th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Oh those are really impressive!
August 11th, 2007 at 1:52 am
Hi again Vickie ~~ Thank you so much for your nice comments about my posts. You are too kind,
I just try to share a bit of happiness around
and get some for myself by so doing. Never would I compare myself to you, with what you have to bear, and the wonderful posts you share with us.
This is getting to be a mutual admiration society. Many thanks dear Vickie. Take great
care of yourself. Love, Merle.
August 11th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
I am so inspired by this. Maybe I’ll give it a whirl on my own property some day… lot’s of Pinon trees with healed broken branch grafts.
Very cool
I love you.
August 11th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Just stopping in to say I almost called you a little earlier until I looked at the clock. Maybe soon we can talk. I’m sure we can come up with “something” to chat about.
I know I’ve already commented here, but I’m thinking tonight about the last time I was on St. Simons and the fact that it has been two years next month. I think that’s a good sign!! Take care.
October 23rd, 2007 at 12:57 pm
If you know where I can locate Keith Jennings or someone who can carve new tree carvings I would appreciate it. The carvings located on our property have been overgrown by the trees and I would like to start the process of creating new ones.
Thanks