Though, it would probably be a bit spooky if it loomed unexpectedly out of a dark night.  It actually is the root bole of a black locust.  It fell over two decades ago; the wood is still very solid, sufficiently so that I would not recommend falling against any of those points.  I have a fondness for black locust trees.  They are massive, slightly gothic, often picturesque trees.*  Some people dislike them, arguing that they aren’t native to New England.  They are, however, native to Pennsylvania and points south; so the whole ‘not native’ complaint is somewhat tenuous given the similar climate and short distance between the Appalachians and the Berkshires.  More to the point, it is a valuable timber, firewood, and nectar (for honey) tree.

IMG_2584

*we have the third largest black locust in the state.