Friends of Massasoit State Park

03/07/2026

Check out these beautiful photos of Massasoit State Park in the so-called off season though there really isn't an off-season at Massasoit. There is always something interesting to see at the park!

01/10/2026

Here's a helpful tree ID graphic. A fun activity for winter hikes at the park!

Want to get better at identifying trees this winter? One of the fastest ways is to compare similar trees growing side by side. When we do this, we easily detect differences in features that otherwise seem similar.

Pictured here are two oak species and two hickory species that grow in eastern North America. Notice the obvious differences. Shagbark hickory (no surprise) has shaggy bark. Mockernut hickory has tightly ridged and furrowed bark. Shingle oak develops lighter colored ridges resembling ski tracks. White oak has the lightest colored bark of all the species mentioned.

Unlike the two hickories, white oak and shingle oak tend to hold onto their dead leaves throughout the winter season — a trait known as marcescence.

Oaks and hickories aren’t closely related, but they do fill similar ecological niches. Both groups provide sources of hard mast (acorns and hickory nuts) for animals including humans, squirrels, chipmunks, jays, woodpeckers, turkeys, and white-tailed deer. Both groups serve as host plants for caterpillars of several butterflies and moths. Both groups associate with a large number of fungi and lichens.

With several weeks of winter left, we can make significant progress with our winter tree identification skills. Spend lots of time with trees. Be observant. Be curious. Ask lots of questions, and enjoy the process!