The Council Oak in Dighton, Massachusetts is the location where the Pokanonket Massasoit Ousamequin held council with the tribes under his leadership in the early 17th century. It is where his son, Metacom or King Philip, signed the documents that led to the South Purchase by the English that included what is now Dighton and Berkley.

The Oak, which is several hundred years old, may have been alive in the 17th century but has gradually deteriorated since 2000. The photo on the left was taken about 1930 while the photo at the right was taken around 2010 following damage in a number of storms . The stump, shown at the top of the page, is all that remains following multiple storms.

Photos from 1978 and 1994 show the tree when it was much healthier. The site has been the subject of much controversy about building on former Indigenous land. A similar oak was located in Somerset until it was toppled in a storm in 2021.

Click here for photos and video of a recent visit to the Council Oak in Dighton.