An Encounter At The Devil’s Tree

Ξ January 11th, 2008 | → 1 Comments | ∇ The Devil's Tree, Site Research |

The following is an unedited story we received recounting one person’s experience with The Devil’s Tree in Oak Hammock Park. We do not know the storyteller in person and can neither confirm nor deny the statements made in this tale of the paranormal. We are posting the full story in order to allow you to judge the contents for yourself.

We looked up directions for the tree and headed to the park at around 7:30p.m. When we reached the park we went through the wooded area and not the actual park.

As soon as I stepped foot into the woods my legs began to shook and I was starting to regret the whole thing. After a few minutes we all collected ourselves, calmed down our nerves and stepped onto the dark, overgrown path. Through the first set of woods it was very calm and we began cracking jokes and were very at ease. After about twenty minutes of being completely lost we came out of the woods and found the canal. Nothing was out of the ordinary except for the clanking of chains we heard from time to time. It was a calm warm night and we weren’t very scared at all….. until we came to the mounds. From there on it felt like we were being perpetually watched.

We wove our way through the path men up front (of course) and the girls holding hands keeping up the rear. All of a sudden the three of us in back halted. It was like a wall was blocking our way. Our knees buckled simultaneously, but we didn’t say a word. The boys hadn’t noticed and kept walking ahead. Out of no where a screeching sound like an animal in mortal danger filled the air. Then it got silent. My sister was earnestly whispering for us to go back, but the boys were not concerned. The air kept getting heavier and the scariest feelings came over me. Then my sister’s fiance walked a little forward and confirmed our suspicions, “It’s the tree”. He was so dumb as to touch the tree, and from then on it got worse.

Trying to be as professional as we could we turned around and as we started walking the flashlight went out. [Its like we weren’t getting a freaking break]. My sister said that she felt like something was hovering on her shoulder and she couldn’t get it off. I had the feeling of an evil presence skulking by me and everything was screaming get out. We just all knew we weren’t supposed to be there, nothing good was there.

Panicking we hurried to get out of the trail. We finally got the the flashlight to work again and we walked as fast as we could out of there. As soon as we got to the canal again we were somewhat relieved and the presence was gone.

This is a true story of skeptics turned to believers.

It was honestly the worst experience of my life. I can never doubt the paranormal again.

Finding The Real Devil’s Tree

Ξ November 25th, 2007 | → 10 Comments | ∇ The 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.