Here’s why the palmetto tree is the official S.C. tree

There’s a reason South Carolina is known as “The Palmetto State,” and it’s not just because of the Sabal Palmetto, the official state tree, according to a post on the Myrtle Beach city government Facebook page.

The tree, which is featured on the state flag, state seal and the bicentennial commemorative quarter for South Carolina, symbolizes the victory against British forces at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island.

The fort was built with palmetto logs because of the woods ability to absorb the impact from a cannon ball.

Now, the palmetto tree can be found across the state.

This story was originally published December 7, 2017 at 1:42 PM with the headline "Here’s why the palmetto tree is the official S.C. tree."