Bullard woods is 52 acres along Stockbridge Bowl. In 1954, this land was given to the Stockbridge Bowl Association by Mrs. William Norton Bullard, one of the original members. The woods were originally part of the estate surrounding the Highwood manor house where Mr. and Mrs. William Norton Bullard lived. The house is now part of Tanglewood and is open to the public. The Stockbridge Bowl Association manages the woods, they created the trails

Old growth woods are rare, the Berkshires cut 99.9 percent of its forests for timber, pulpwood and charcoal in the 19th century. Robert Leverett and John Knuerr, assessed the woods in 2004 for old growth trees. They identified a new state record white oak at 115.3 feet high, 6.9 feet diameter. They also found a white pine that was more than 133 feet high, a tulip tree 124.4 feet, a shagbark hickory 114 feet and a black cherry at 100.8 feet. This is part of the small remaining population of original second growth hardwoods that are 200 to 300 years old. The largest tree here is a very old white ash 12.3 feet around. Bob Leverett has observed the big trees here are falling, so we will enjoy them for now and remember them forever.

This hike is a true hidden gem with old growth, Stockbridge Bowl and the music of Tanglewood playing nearby. Park on West Hawthorne Road in Stockbridge, trails are easy.  Catch our next group hiker Saturday September 21st register at www.hilltownhikers.com under events.