Finding The Real Devil’s Tree
Will The Real Devil’s Tree Please Stand Up
We finally got a chance to revisit Oak Hammock Park, with the goal of finding the ‘real’ Devil’s Tree. Armed with information provided by actual witnesses to the events which took place in the past, we were fairly confident we could locate the actual tree.
From our own research, we knew that the tree was carved with a cross and later a wooden cross was nailed to the tree. Our group was a little surprised that, after setting out on the adventure, it took only about four minutes to find the oak. It was exactly at the location described by our witness. We found a scar in the bark from the original carving and also located nails and remnants of wood from the cross.
Unfortunately, the tree has become a local oddity and has reached true urban legend status, as mentioned in our previous posts. Rumors of occult rituals being held at the tree, a group of clergy performing a blessing on the oak and even a suicide committed underneath its branches have led to an overwhelming number of people attempting to visit the tree after dark. After a prolonged discussion, our group decided that it would be in the best interest of Parks and Recreation (and of the tree) to not reveal the location publicly. Ultimately, the location is where two young women died horrific deaths and later a despondent man took his own life. It is an area that should be treated with a sense of respect and not turned into a circus sideshow.
We can tell you that the many directions posted throughout the internet on forums and even found in books are quite wrong- not one of them will lead you to the correct tree.
Now that G.R.I.M. has the location of the actual Devil’s Tree and permission from Parks & Recreation, we are going to proceed with an overnight investigation of the location.
Things You Don’t Always Think About
Some of the reports of activity at Oak Hammock Park center around the restrooms. Specifically, the women’s restroom. The reports range from people hearing voices and screams to slamming doors. An investigation in a public restroom presents numerous problems- installing camera equipment in a ladies restroom might score G.R.I.M. an interesting rap sheet, but most likely wouldn’t turn up any evidence. While audio equipment might not land us behind bars, we can’t help but wonder if the men on the team really want to monitor the sounds and discussions in a women’s restroom. Probably not.
Those issues to the side, this particular restroom has some interesting things to note. The floor is far from level and there are open screened window cutouts along the roof-line. This could account for nearly all of the phenomenon reported in the location- a stray breeze causing one of the stall doors to slam, voices carrying in through the open windows- even the screams could be rather common place, due to its proximity to the children’s playground.
As we continue to work on the Devil’s Tree Investigation, we will report our findings.