The Devil's Tree
The Devil's Tree is a solitary oak, with some dead limbs, growing in an undeveloped field on Mountain Road in the Martinsville portion of Bernards Township, New Jersey. It is just opposite Emerald Valley Lane, a recently constructed subdivision.
Local legend, extensively documented in Weird NJ magazine and the book based on it, has it that the tree is cursed or the property of the Devil. Supposedly, those who damage or show disrespect to the tree in its presence (usually by urinating on it or making disparaging remarks about it within its vicinity) will shortly thereafter come to some sort of harm, often taking the form of a car accident or major breakdown as they leave. Others report being chased after nighttime visits to the site by black phantom vehicles that disappear when a major road is reached. Even simply touching the tree has been said to cause unexplained effects, such as hands turning black afterwards.
In winter, supposedly, the ground beneath the tree is free from snow no matter how much has fallen or how recently. A nearby boulder called "Heat Rock" is reputedly warm to the touch regardless of season or time of day, and is thus believed to be a portal to Hell.
It is said that unruly slaves were hanged from the tree in colonial times, or that the Ku Klux Klan gathered there for lynchings, and that history imparts this evil character to the tree.
Despite the dire warnings of the legends, enough damage to the tree has occurred that its lower trunk has had to be protected with a section of chainlink fence wrapped around it. There is also some graffitti on it above the level of the fence.
References
- Moran, Mark and Sceurman, Mark; Weird NJ: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best-Kept Secrets, Barnes & Noble, 2003; 14-16
- "Tales from the Devil's Tree", Weird NJ, May 2006.
External link
- The Devil's Tree at weirdnj.com