A strange tree used to stand at the foot of the bridge over the E34 motorway and the Rolleken: 'Den Heksenboom', or the Witches' Tree. Today, the site is marked with a commemorative stone. Because of its unusual location, some strange stories were linked to this tree.
Story 1
Because of its location, the Witches' Tree by the Haarlebeek was the preferred place where people met or said goodbye to each other. Once, for instance, two young lovers stood under the broad canopy of the Witches' Tree to 'chat' for a bit before saying goodbye to each other. Suddenly, the two young people felt they were not alone... Above them, something stirred and rustled. Concerned, one of them spoke: "Are you from heaven or are you from the devil: tell me!" Whereupon a few drops splashed down on the heads of these two people, though there was not a cloud in sight! What had happened?
Of course, the full canopy of the Witches' Tree housed lots of living things: birds, squirrels, etc. No doubt something emerged from under one of those fluffy tails, at exactly the right time and place!
Story 2
Black cats were seen here several times by poachers around midnight: witches dancing around the Witches' Tree before flying to the Witches' Sabbath (meeting of witches with the devil) in Cologne. Others believe that those who wandered here at night invariably got lost and always ended up back at the Witches' Tree.
Children were told never to hit the Witches' Tree with a stick, because then the witches would fall from the crown and the evil consequences would be incalculable.
You can find more stories at the local history circle www.hklille.be.
For more legends and sagas in this region, check out the Geritsel & Gefluister (Rustling & Whispering) audio walk.
