The Legend: This tree is supposed to be cursed and haunted by three witches. Actually it was three women suspected to be witches by the locals. A witches' trial was held and the three women were found guilty and consequently hung. Many, many years later as population started to grow, efforts began to pave a road to where many residences were. The pavement effort seemed to be going well until one tree stood right in the path of the road. The decision was made to remove the tree, despite the legends and local folklore about the tree. The man whose duty it was to remove the tree met an untimely death. No one was around to see what happened, but he was killed while sawing branches. Freak accident or evidence of the curse? The people in charge of the project must have thought that there was enough evidence of the curse and decided to pave the road around the tree. Rifle Range, as the road is now called is where the infamous tree stands where the witches were hung after their trial. The entire road is a reminder of the witches as there are strange coincidences that occur on the trip down the road. On the way to the tree once on Rifle Range, you will drive over three hills. These hills or "humps" are said to be where the witches were buried. You also cross three bridges. The legend also says that you will encounter things "in threes" on your trip to the tree. It has been said that many people have had bad luck and even died after trying to deface or damage the tree.

Our Findings: We have made several trips to this tree and have found that this is indeed a weird tree and an even weirder trip to the tree. Taking pictures, we've found strange mists around the tree that were not seen by the naked eye. Also a fourth branch sometimes seems to be present, when at other times it's not there. Someone I know, touched the tree, mocking the curse and the very next day the car that she drove to the tree died. The engine locked up on her Camry. Maybe just a coincidence, but weird anyway. Recently, a person has been lurking in the woods surrounding the tree shining flashlights at visitors to the tree. Be careful when you visit the tree because we're really not sure who this person is or what their intentions are.

Directions: Take Route 27 South. Turn right onto Route 536 (at Dairy Mart). Turn Right onto Route 915. Turn left onto S. Licking Pike. Turn Left onto Rifle Range. Follow Rifle Range until you see the tree.