Brues Woods

Brues Woods. Photo by Wayne Hall.
Brues Woods. Photo by Wayne Hall.
Brues Woods in Winter. Photo by Craig Smith.
Brues Woods in Winter. Photo by Craig Smith.
Brues Woods. Photo by Louis Calisi.
Brues Woods. Photo by Louis Calisi. 
Brues Woods. Photo by Louis Calisi.
Brues Woods. Photo by Louis Calisi. 
Brues Woods. Photo by Louis Calisi.
Brues Woods. Photo by Louis Calisi. 
Town
Sudbury
Acreage
39

A small but charming property, Brues Woods is a predominately white pine forest, with red maple swamp bordering Bridge Brook, and mixed oak in remaining areas. Be prepared for mud in spring or shortly after a rain!

A local Eagle Scout created an interpretive nature trail brochure that describes the trees at six markers along the trail. A complete tour takes less than an hour over moderately easy terrain, with some briefly steep spots. 

Full Description

Brues Woods' upland trails pass through mature pines. Plank walkways carry the trail across Bridge Brook and through damp areas in the adjacent wooded wetland with its tangled under-story and fallen trees.

SVT acquired this 39-acre property in several parcels during the 1980s and 1990s. The 23-acre core was sold to SVT by Mildred Brues.

  • Situated only 0.75 mile from Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Brues Woods is often visited by migratory birds.
  • The white pine and mixed-oak forest also includes hemlocks as well as sassafras trees with leaves of different shapes: Some have three lobes while others are oval or mitten shaped. 
  • A luxuriant stand of skunk cabbage will greet you along the banks of Bridge Brook starting as early as February or March.
  • Students and teachers at the Nixon School are able to use the land as an outdoor classroom.

Directions

From Sudbury Center (intersection of Route 27 and Concord Road), go north on Concord Road. There are two parking options, depending on whether Nixon Elementary School is in session:
 
When the Nixon School is not in session, parking is available at the school. Go north on Concord Road 0.6 mi. Turn right into the Nixon School. SVT signs are to the right and back of the lot.
 
When the Nixon School is in session, go north on Concord Road 0.2 mi. Turn right on Candy Hill Road. Follow it 0.2 mi to the end and bear right onto Plympton Road. SVT signs are on the left; there is parking for a few cars parallel to the road.
 
Click here to visit Google Maps for specific directions from your home.

Nearby Nature Sightings

Beaked hazelnuts at Brues Woods in Sudbury, photographed by Joel Moskowitz.

Beaked Hazelnut at SVT's Brues Woods

Joel Moskowitz photographed this beaked hazelnut at SVT's Brues Woods in Sudbury.
Beaked hazelnuts at Brues Woods in Sudbury, photographed by Laura Mattei.

Beaked Hazelnut at SVT's Brues Woods

Laura Mattei photographed beaked hazelnuts at SVT's Brues Woods in Sudbury.
All Nature Sightings