Dominant Tree Species along the Intercoastal Waterway in Socastee, South Carolina

 Along the coastal zone of South Carolina, you will find a variety of trees and shrubs that are native to the area.  The coastal zone is made up of tidal marshlands and associated uplands that include large sea islands, barrier islands, and the Atlantic Ocean (SC State Library, 2022).  Highway 17 is the divider between what is considered the coastal zone and the coastal plain.  The Intracoastal Waterway is located west of the highway and is considered a flood zone.  The Intracoastal Waterway flows along the Grand Strand area of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  It is 60 miles of combined creeks, rivers, and canals (Glazer, 2019).  The Intracoastal Waterway started as a vision more than 240 years ago for a safe and secure route for shipping along the Atlantic coast but not on the open sea (Glazer, 2019).  Many rivers and inlets flow into the waterway and help with flood control.  

Interesting Facts:

 3,000 miles in length

 210 miles in South Carolina

 60 miles along the Grand Strand area (Myrtle Beach and surrounding towns/cities)

 Averages 90 feet wide and 12 feet deep

 13 bridges cross the waterway along the Grand Strand 

 Three swing bridges located in Little River, Barefoot Landing, and Socastee

(Glazer, 2019)

Dendrology of the wetlands of Socastee, South Carolina

 Live oaks (Quercus virginiana), 

 Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) 

 Southern red cedar (Juniperus silicicola), 

 Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), 

 American holly (Ilex opaca), 

 Red bay (Persea borbonia), 

 Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera)

 Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria)

 Southern red oak (Quercus falcata), 

 Water oak (Quercus nigra), 

 Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata)

 Pignut hickory (Carya glabra)

 Dogwood (Cornus florida) 

 American olive (Osmanthus americana)

 Carolina laurel cherry (Prunus caroliniana)

 Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) 

 Laurel oak (Quercus hemisphaerica)

(SC State Library, 2022)

References

Glazer, C. T. (2019, 06 01). History And Life Along The Grand Strand’s Intracoastal Waterway. Grand Strand Magazine: https://grandstrandmag.com/feature/history_and_life_along_the_grand_strand_s_intracoastal_waterway

SC State Library. (2022). Coastal Zone and Marine Ecoregion Terrestrial and Aquatic Habitats. Columbia: SC State Library.