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What Is the State Tree of Massachusetts? Facts & FAQ
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
The state of Massachusetts is named after the Massachuset Tribe, the descendants of Indian tribes who inhabited the state before it became a commonwealth. Massachusetts, also popularly known as “The Bay State” is full of historical landmarks, great seafood restaurants, and interesting art attractions. It’s also full of beautiful green landscaping due to its large deciduous forests and wide-spanning lakes. But what is the state tree of Massachusetts? The state tree of Massachusetts is the American Elm (scientific name: Ulmus americana).
What Is the State Tree of Massachusetts?
The elm was adopted as the state tree in 1941 to commemorate General George Washington who took command of the continental army in 1775 in Cambridge Common.
This particular elm tree can grow to a height of 120 feet and has a wide-spreading canopy. Its leaves are dark green and oval-shaped, and they turn a beautiful clear yellow during the fall months. American Elms have gray flaky bark and grow in moist soil with moderate temperatures. They need anywhere from 5 to 8 hours of sunlight a day to thrive and can be quite hearty, which makes them great for colder regions.
Image Credit: Richyjh, Shutterstock
What Is the State Bird of Massachusetts?
The state bird of Massachusetts is the Black-capped Chickadee, and was adopted by the state in 1941. This small, puffy-built bird is usually very easy to recognize. It has dark and gray feathers all over its body, but a black cap on its head and it needs its feet, covering its throat.
The chickadee is about 5 inches tall and has short gray thin legs. Black-capped Chickadees are intelligent and restless, and you can see them on the ground foraging for seeds, nuts, and insects.
These adult birds do not fly south for the winter, and typically increase their search for food during the early fall months to plan for the winter season. They can be found hiding out in tree cavities, hidden away from other wildlife predators.
What Is the State Flower of Massachusetts?
Image By: Bluesnap, Pixabay
The state flower of Massachusetts is the Mayflower (scientific name: Epigaea repens) and it was adopted by the state on May 1st, 1918. Unfortunately, the flower has been on the endangered species list since 1925. The Mayflower has fragrant leaves that are either white or pink and bloom in early spring.
These five-petal leaves are covered with tiny hairs that give off a spicy scent. It grows in dense woody areas and can usually be found near evergreens or under rocky, sandy soil. In addition to Massachusetts, the flower can also be found largely in Canada, Florida, and Kentucky.
Wrapping Things Up
Massachusetts gets its name from an Indian tribe that inhabited the land before it officially became a commonwealth. The state itself has tons of historical significance and is one of the greatest places that you can visit in the summer or fall months. To be such a small state, Massachusetts has quite a few tourist attractions and a beautiful landscape for both tourists and locals to enjoy.
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.
