I've never realized how close I live to a piece of New Jersey lore, and I hope this cache allows others to learn about it too.
There is parking for one or two cars across the street. Bring your own pen!
The Devil's Tree is an old oak tree located in some small undeveloped parkland. According to locals, everyone in the vicinity of Bernards Township seems to have a story about it. They say that at one time a farmer killed his entire family, then went to the tree to hang himself. According to some, numerous suicides and murders occurred around the evil arbor. Supposedly anyone who tries to cut down the tree comes to an untimely end, as it is now cursed. It is said that the souls of those killed at the spot give the tree an unnatural warmth, and even in the dead of winter no snow will fall around it. Another claim says that this tree used to be the hangout of the local KKK chapter. Others say that visitors who get too close to the tree will get chased by a black Ford pick-up truck that will then dissapear at some point, or that anyone who touches the tree will find that their hands have turned black if they try to eat at a restaurant.
But in the end, even if none of these stories are true, one thing for sure is that this tree is a piece of New Jersey mythology.
For more information see here:
Congrats to chrmdome on the FTF!