The Devil's Tree -- Somerset County, New Jersey

In an open field in Somerset County, New Jersey, stands a centuries old tree that is has built up an ominous reputation over the years.  It began it's notorious history back in colonial times.  Legend has it that when slaves became unruly for some locals, they made examples out of them by hanging them from this tree.  Thus began a history that would tarnish this unworldly looking oak for all time.

Some decades later, folks tell of a man who went insane.  One dark night, he went about murdering his entire family.  Realizing what he had done, he went to the hanging tree and proceeded to hang himself from it.  During the post Civil War era, the Klu Klux Klan members were s no stranger to the hanging tree.  Their favorite activity?  Lynching a number of African Americans from a very large branch that stuck out of the side of the tree at the same time.  After this horrible era, and the KKK was on the decline, the lynchings pretty much came to an end.  However, the reputation of what would become known as The Devil's Tree had just begun.

The Devil's Tree along Mountain Road in Somerset County, New Jersey is thought to be haunted by former slaves and others who were killed there over the years.

Many would visit the tree, knowing of it's torrid reputation.  Many who would touch the tree would report that whatever part of their body they touched the tree with, would turn black.  A black substance which could not be identified and would not come off easily.  Now it would be understandable if it were a walnut tree, but this is a mighty oak.

Then, some visors to the tree would see a faint out line of a noose hanging from the large branch where many met their deaths.  Except when they approached closer, there would be nothing!  Over time some folks began to believe the tree was really possessed by the Devil.  Attempts were made to cut down the tree, but they failed in some way or another.  One vandal, did manage to cut off the large branch that was known as "the hanging branch".

Many visitors say the tree possesses some strange energy which causes strange and bizarre things to happen when people are around it. The tree still stands today, protected by wire mesh so as to not only protect the tree from damage, but to protect those who may attempt to touch it so that they may not absorb it's evil!

Location:
120-156 Mountain Road
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
N 40° 37.810 W 074° 34.979

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References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Tree
http://weirdnj.com/stories/devils-tree/