What follows is an essay by Bob Leverett on a relatively small tract of forest that is literally in his back yard, in western Massachusetts. The text and photos were supplied by Bob. Enjoy!
The Mature
Forests and Exceptional Trees of Upper Broad Brook
An essay
by Robert T. Leverett
Cofounder and Executive
Director of the Native Tree Society
Cofounder of the
National Cadre of American Forests
Cofounder and
President, Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest
 |
The
Laurie Sanders Pine
Upper Broad Brook, Northampton, MA
|
Introduction
There is an attractive little stream
that runs for about 5 miles, starting and ending in Hampshire County,
Massachusetts. Its name is Broad Brook. It is not broad, and few
people, other than local citizens, know of its existence. But Broad
Brook has a story to tell. First, it is the primary stream source of
Northampton’s popular 800-acre Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area,
and secondly, it harbors a valuable mature forest on its upper
stretches, the focus of this article.
