Why was a pine tree on a flag that flew on Revolutionary War cruisers commissioned by George Washington? This was the design of Washington’s Aide, Col. Joseph Reed. Colonel Reed, writing to Colonel Moylan, on Oct. 20, 1775, wrote: “Please to fix some particular color for a flag and a signal, by which our vessels may know each other. What do you think of a flag with a white ground, a tree in the middle, and the motto ‘An Appeal to Heaven?’ This is the flag of our floating batteries.”

Floating Battery used in the Siege of Boston. Flew the Pine Tree Flag.

Even before the Declaration of Independence, Americans realized that they needed to be able to attack the British from the sea. When George Washington arrived in Boston in 1775, he began to commission cruisers to prevent British ships from re-supplying their army. They were the Franklin, Hancock, Lynch, Washington, Lee and Harrison. Massachusetts, Rhode Island and other colonies tried to form some protections from the much superior British Navy. The Massachusetts Navy sailed under the pine-tree flag.

Why would a navy ensign use a pine tree as its prominent symbol?

  1. The pine tree flag had long been associated with New England. It was flown on colonial merchant ships as early as 1686.
  2. It was a symbol of New England resistance to restrictions that had been placed on harvesting much needed timber. There was even a Pine Tree Riot in New Hampshire in 1772 – two years before the Boston Tea Party. The Eastern White Pine was the best suited for ships masts and the Crown wanted them for British ships.
  3. The pine tree flag flew over Americans at the Battle of Bunker Hill in June of 1775.

What does the phrase “Appeal to Heaven” symbolize? It is from a philosopher – John Locke. When people face injustice no one on earth can help, but they must rely on a higher power and even take up arms.