Well, even now the branches of the oak tree remain in chains. There's also a set of stone steps leading up to it and a clearing circles the tree. Mysterious indeed because someone must have spent a lot of time and resources on completing all this.
So... is the legend real? Did the Earl really order the oak chained up? Or did later generations chain it up in a spirit of fun and mischief?
Or.... and here's the big one... is the tree really cursed?