12/05/2025
The Donkey Tree Legend: The Origin Story. Time and Setting: This wacky legend supposedly started in the 1930s or 1940s near an orphanage on a road close to the Donkey Tree's location. The Boy and the Donkey: A bullied orphan boy found protection in a donkey from a local farm, which acted as his guardian, chasing away his tormentors like a furry little superhero. The Murder: The bullies tied the donkey to a remote tree to prevent it from protecting the boy, then ambushed the boy on the bridge, assaulting him with sticks and rocks until he died, and subsequently threw his body into the water - what a bunch of meanies. The Discovery: The donkey broke free, searched for the boy, and allegedly found his body, braying until the police were led to the scene, later dying of starvation due to distress. The Tree's Shape: Over time, the tree where the donkey was tied grew into a shape resembling a donkey's head, Supernatural Claims and Warnings: Paranormal Activity: Legend claims that approaching the tree at midnight will allow a person to hear the mournful cries of the boy calling out for his donkey - spooky. Recent Reports (2014): Reports of people hearing a child laughing or crying near the tree between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. The Missing YouTuber (2015): An abandoned vehicle belonging to a YouTuber from Indiana, who intended to film a documentary, was found in front of the tree, and his disappearance remains a mystery for that documentary. The Curse: Locals believe the tree is cursed, and touching it is believed to bring bad luck, accidents, or even death - so, you know, don't touch it. The Good Luck Charm: Placing an apple in the 'donkey's mouth' (a feature on the tree) is believed to bring good luck, and the apple will mysteriously disappear by the time one returns just like magic. Location Details: The Donkey Tree is located on Valley Hill Road, Springfield, Kentucky. Directions (from Bardstown via US-150) Turn left onto Grundy Home Road from US-150 Springfield Road.