Way back in 1545 an acorn buried itself into some fertile soil, took root and began to grow. Year by year, it grew taller, mightier and stronger, withstanding hurricanes and tropical storms. For more than 500 years this tree has stood the test of time. Today, it stands over 130 feet tall and spreads out over 104 feet, creating a dramatic canopy of twisted limbs that reach and crawl across the landscape. The Airlie Oak is a southern live oak tree, famed for their massive trunks, rambling branches and ability to stand tall when others cannot. This oak tree can be found in the beautiful Airlie Gardens, located on the north-east side of Wilmington, close to Wrightsville Beach. However, while the Airlie Oak is the star of the show in…