On the Assabet River Walk trail, which can be accessed from Concord Street or Colbert Avenue, there is a fifteen foot tall spruce tree. It is the only spruce tree in the entire forest. This December, for the third year in a row, it has been decorated with more than 100 red, silver and gold bulbs. Toward the end of January almost all of the bulbs will be removed. Until then, anyone essaying a walk in the woods gets a surprise. Walking in from the Colbert Avenue end, there are silver decorations every 20-30 yards, in tree branches above or alongside the trail, decreasing in distance between them as the decorated tree nears. Think 'breadcrumbs,' marking the way.
UPDATES: January 18th, before storm, all silver and gold removed (except near the top, which will require a ladder). Also most of the 'breadcrumbs.' February 8th, removed all but about 20 of the red.
Sometimes winter adds its own decorations in the form of a dusting (or more) of snow. With a bit of snow only the red bulbs stand out, the silver and gold lost against the white snow.
With a lot of snow the whole tree folds up sort of like an umbrella. Snow-covered or not, best effect achieved by approaching the tree from the Colbert Avenue end in the afternoon of a sunny day. Distance from trailhead is about 1/3 mile along a root strewn trail. After rain or thaw there are soggy sections, so best to visit when the ground is dry or frozen.
Mid-January : all non-red bulbs (around 2/3 of total) removed except at top (because that will require carrying in a ladder). By end of January most of the red will be removed, but a dozen or so will remain until next December.
I've never heard of this trail and have lived here for 15 years! Is there a recognizable trailhead and parking?
ReplyDeleteColbert Ave is a dead end, with parking next to the sign for the trail entrance. Concord St. has a sign, but no parking allowed on Concord. Possible to park on Hird Street and then cross Concord to a sign at the trail entrance. Tree is closer to the Colbert Ave end. Trail will be soggy/wet in parts, so waterproof boots recommended.
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