The Mighty Evergreen

Posted on November 29, 2016 By Hilltown Families

Walked through that beautiful soft white pine grove on the west of the road in John Flint’s pasture. These trees are large, but there is ample space between them, so that the ground is left grassy. Great pines two or more feet in diameter branch sometimes within two feet of the ground on each side, sending out large horizontal branches on which you can sit. Like great harps on which the wind makes music. There is no finer tree.
“A Beautiful Pine Grove” in The Writings of Henry David Thoreau

In Western Massachusetts there are many places one can explore the beautiful evergreens and winter pines that create our enchanting forests. Like Thoreau, bring along a nature journal to jot down a few inspiring notes along the way.

Notchview Reservation, The Trustees (Windsor, MA)

An excellent place for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking, Notchview is a beautiful place to enjoy year-round outdoor explorations and to discover the evergreen forests. The reservation’s forest includes red spruce and northern hardwood and fir. Are you interested in cutting your own Christmas tree? Every year, Notchview hosts a Christmas Tree Sale where families can come and cut their own balsam or Fraser fir tree at the reservation for the holiday season.

Bradley Sanctuary, Hilltown Land Trust (Williamsburg, MA)

Thoreau’s declaration of white pine as the finest tree can certainly be believed at this beautiful hiking spot in Williamsburg. Managed by Hilltown Land Trust, the Bradley Sanctuary features a beautiful hilltop grove of white pine.

Old Growth Forest at William Cullen Bryant Homestead, The Trustees (Cummington, MA)

This incredible trail features an old-growth forest with some incredibly ancient trees! They include hemlock, cherry, and a pine loop with some of the tallest pine trees in the Northeast! A wonderful trail.

Christmas Tree Farms in Western M

Does your annual family tradition include erecting an evergreen in your home? Support local agriculture and cut your own Christmas Tree! Here are a few local farms to consider:

Pieropans Farms – Ashfield, MA
Justamere Tree Farm – Worthington, MA
Itty Bitty Tree Farm – Windsor, MA
Cranston’s Christmas Tree Farm – Ashfield, MA

Excerpt from Learning Ahead: Cultural Itinerary for Western Massachusetts (Seasons: Nov/Dec), a downloadable bimonthly publication produced by Hilltown Families that sheds light on embedded learning opportunities found in cultural resources that exist within the geography, history, and cultural traditions of Western Massachusetts.