The Pine Tree

Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute firing musket salute
Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute firing musket salute
Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute firing musket salute at North Bridge in Concord
Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute firing musket salute at North Bridge in Concord
Colonial Faire hosted by the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute
Colonial Faire hosted by the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute
Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute at Present Arms on North Bridge in Concord
Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute at Present Arms on North Bridge in Concord
Dancers at the Regimental Ball hosted by the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute
Dancers at the Regimental Ball hosted by the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute
Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute awaiting start of annual March from East Sudbury on April 19
Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute awaiting start of annual March from East Sudbury on April 19
Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute firing musket salute during Stow Springfest
Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute firing musket salute during Stow Springfest
British Redcoats encounter colonial soldiers during Battle of Red Horse Tavern at Wayside Inn
British Redcoats encounter colonial soldiers during Battle of Red Horse Tavern at Wayside Inn

Within the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute logo and featured on many flags is The Pine Tree. A quite common arbor in New England, The Pine Tree was readily adopted symbolism for the area's identity for the virtues including hardiness and fortitude especially in the cold, hard climate. As early as 1686, the symbol was incorporated into flags.

Flags with evergreens were believed to have been carried at the Battle of Bunker Hill, 1775, and one was adopted by the Massachusetts navy in 1776. Pine Tree flags were used by American forces in many ways often with the motto, "An Appeal To Heaven." On October 20, 1775 Colonel Joseph Reed, Washington's military secretary, recommended that this flag be put into general usage so that American ships could recognize each other. The "Pine Tree Flag" is a generic name for a number of flags used by Massachusetts and other new England colonies from 1686-1776.