The Devil’s Tree is a solitary oak tree located in an undeveloped field on Mountain Road in the Martinsville section of Bernards Township, Somerset County, New Jersey. This tree is surrounded by numerous eerie legends and is believed to be cursed. Here are some of the most notable stories:
Cursed Tree: Local legend suggests that anyone who damages or disrespects the tree will soon come to harm, often in the form of a car accident or major breakdown as they leave the area.
Historical Lynchings: It is claimed that the tree was used for lynchings by the Ku Klux Klan and that it has been a site of numerous hangings since Colonial times.
Haunted by a Farmer: Another story tells of a farmer who hanged himself from the tree after killing his family, and it is said that anyone who tries to cut down the tree will meet an untimely end.
Supernatural Phenomena:
Visitors have reported being chased by a black Ford pick-up truck that disappears at a certain point, and some claim that touching the tree can cause their hands to turn black. Additionally, the ground beneath the tree is said to remain free from snow, regardless of how much has fallen.
The tree is now protected by a chain-link fence due to vandalism and the township’s decision to preserve it
