The Liberty Tree

Numerous “Liberty Tree” flags were flown around the time of the American Revolution by colonists. This is a recreation of one of the early ones. It’s image became forever entwined with the fight for independence as a symbol of resistance to tyranny.

The original Liberty Tree was in Hanover Square on the corner of Orange and Essex streets in Boston. The famous association of rebels called the Sons of Liberty held their meetings there, and named the dirt beneath them “Liberty Hall.” With increasing frequency, the group would raise a red flag from a pole fastened to the trunk of the tree. When this red flag rose the people understood the signal, and the British also came to understand it well in time. The British military eventually cut down the tree, but in its place erected a new, perpetual symbol of resistance. The phrase, “Appeal to God,” or more frequently, “Appeal to Heaven,” related to the idea that all other means of gentlemanly arbitration of grievances had been exhausted, and it was now time to appeal to the Lord to determine your fate.