Evil Tree

Actually the article is about cell phone proliferation:

"We splashed through a creek. Tubuio pointed to a tree maybe 6 feet in diameter. "The Evil Tree," he said. It was clear from everyone's expression that this thing was famous. The tree, explained Tubuio, had never seen a white man and so naturally would be curious. We would have to observe the proper rituals to keep its evil spirit from afflicting me. Afflicting me like how? I asked. "Nightmares, a big belly, loose joints." Tubuio grabbed a palm frond and passed it around my waist a few times, then crouched with the other men cracking betel nuts with their teeth. I pulled Clive aside and asked if he believed in all this hocus-pocus. I didn't like his answer: "I've heard about this tree" was all he said".

Via An Englishman's Castle