The King’s Broad Arrow and America’s First Timber Rebellion
Learn How White Pine Became a Symbol of Colonial Resistance
FDN Staff
June 15, 2026
In the early years of colonial America, a wood brand called the King’s Broad Arrow stirred early resistance to royalty among New Englanders. In 1691, England declared all white pine above a certain size as the King’s property.
Early colonials revolted by cutting marked pines that bore the Broad Arrow mark and then using them as lumber. The Broad Arrow timber brand looked like an arrow with ax marks on its sides. White pines from the American colonies were sought by England for their value for ships of the Royal Navy.
This important story from American history was recounted recently in an article by the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association. You can read the article here:
