Cursed Trees - Haunted Forests

Can trees be cursed? Some have bad reputations. Let's take a look at some of these bad boys of the forest - 

Cursed Trees

The Devil's Tree, New Jersey

Link: They say that at one time a farmer killed his entire family, then went to the tree to hang himself. According to some, numerous suicides and murders occurred around the evil arbor. Supposedly anyone who tries to cut down the tree comes to an untimely end, as it is now cursed. It is said that the souls of those killed at the spot give the tree an unnatural warmth, and even in the dead of winter no snow will fall around it.

In the gospel, there is a story of Jesus cursing a fig tree. 

Mark 11:12-14, 20-21: “And on the morrow, when they had come out of Bethany, he [Jesus] hungered. And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if perhaps he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season of figs. And he answered and said unto it, ‘No man [will] eat fruit from you from now on — for ever.’ And his disciples heard it .... And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance said unto him, ‘Rabbi, behold, the fig tree that you cursed is withered away’” (LINK)

Manchineel Tree

Found in Central and South America, the Caribbean and even Florida, the Manchineel tree is as cursed as it gets, as it is deadly. Do not eat the fruit. Do not touch the bark. Do not stand near it for any period of time. 

This tree was said to have killed explorer Ponce de Leon. It was said that an arrow that killed him was tipped with the sap.

It is referred to as the tree of death.

Some say it will kill. Others say that it will cause boils and sores, great pain. The sap causes blisters on the skin. (LINK)

HAUNTED FORESTS

Aokigahara 

aka "Suicide" Forest

Japan

Aokigahara Forest in Japan at the base of Mt. Fuji has become known as the suicidal capital of Japan and one of the world's highest suicide rate locations. Over 100 people take their lives there in the twisting turning forest. 

The trees are so tight and paths so confusing that people get lost often in the forest. It is perpetually in darkness. And to some it is the ideal place to go and be one with nature as you hand over your human existence to hopefully be transformed by the other side. 

To some, however, the other side is a purgatory that allows the soul to meander around the paths of the forest for eternity. It is considered a very haunted location.

It is backed up by a legend that the location was used by families in ancient times. When they didn't have enough food for their members, they would leave a female family member in the forest to die.

Many report dark figures, mists, and even full-body apparitions in the forest, sometimes leading them deeper into the maze to get lost.

If a forest could collectively hold anguish and death, this one would be the single largest collection in the world.

Pine Barrens

New Jersey

It started with a legend of a curse and soon the woods took on the reputation of a century's old curse.

The most common telling of the legend is that a woman in the 1700s named Mrs. Leeds was pregnant with her 13th child and cursed it as the devil at its birth.

The baby was said to change into a hooved creature with a goat's head, bat's wings, and forked tail. The legend goes that it flew up the chimney and out into the pine barrens where it remains to this day, occasionally terrifying the locals and referred to as the "Jersey Devil."

Anyone who has traveled the Pine Barrens understands the quiet and solemn feel of that stretch of New Jersey. Anything could linger among the trees and one would never have a clue they were being watched. Locals have reported seeing it, having animals and livestock killed, and hearing the deafening and spine-chilling screams. 

If a forest could contain a dark devilish soul, these Pine Barrens seem to be an ideal locale. 

Hoia Baciu

Romania 

This unusual forest in Romania has quite the reputation. Some shows, like "Destination Truth" have gone there to encounter something much more than they imagined.

Strange lantern-like lights in the woods, apparitions, a circular region where trees won't grow, strange sounds are heard, people get sick, and scratched are just some of what makes up its reputation. If that weren't enough, UFOs are commonly reported.

Simply going into the forest can cause one to feel sickly, dizzy, and confused. It is a kind of vortex of bad vibes and strange happenings. 

The legends about it began with a shepherd who supposedly went into the forest with hundreds of sheep and they never came back out.

If a forest could contain a vortex or portal to other worlds, this would seem to be the top of the list.

The Black Forest

Germany

This picturesque and ancient forest has crumbling monasteries, lakes, castles, and many ruins. It also has a reputation.

Many of the old legends were perhaps woven to keep people from entering and getting lost, but it certainly filled the locals' minds with dark imagery from witches and sorcerers to werewolves, dwarfs to ghosts of monks. 

Sadly many of the witch hysteria and legends led to persecution of females and witch trials. 

If a forest could suffer from a lingering dark melancholy, this one seems to carry a veil of depression and weariness.