Eastern White Pine Traditional Cache
BUMPUSREADER: thank you to all who have found this one
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Difficulty:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is one of a series of "tree" caches. Try to "find" them all!
The cache is located in Two Mile Reservation on Union Street in Marshfield.
Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) is a large pine native to eastern North America, occurring from Newfoundland west to Minnesota and southeastern Manitoba, and south along the Appalachian Mountains to the extreme south of Georgia.
The majestic Eastern White Pine is the tallest of the pine species in North America with a rich history that played a crucial historical role in the colonial America, yet unknown to many. Trees 150 to 240 feet tall and trunks free of branches to heights of 80 feet or more were plentiful in the new world. Lumber from these trees was very light, yet strong. The woodworking properties of the species made it very easy for a carpenter to shape and finish. As added value due to its characteristics and slow growth, it was very resistant to rot. Houses, businesses, bridges and countless other structures, along with day-to-day utility items were built from the wood of Eastern White Pine. This species truly shaped early America.
Twenty years after their arrival, the Pilgrims began exporting Eastern White Pine as far as Madagascar in ships also built of these native North American trees. They were so big that ships with extra-long special decks were built to accommodate them for transport to the shipbuilding ports owned by Great Britain. Due to its height and straightness, Eastern White Pine quickly became the choice material for ship mast production. Of all the species of wood used for masts around the world, these were the lightest in weight and the largest in size. Other critical shipbuiliding components such as frames, planking and knees, pitch and tar for seaming, resins and turpentine for paint and varnish, and spars to hold sails aloft were produced from the wood. To maintain its world dominance of the seas, Great Britain needed the strongest and fastest ships. Eastern White Pine made these ships the greyhounds of their day and a force to reckon with in any battle.
As a result, King George I of England wanted to ensure that the very best of the trees were kept for official use. Since all of New England was considered "Crown Land" of the British Empire, the King took control of the the tallest and largest of these great trees. Each one was emblazened (three hatchet slashes) by the the King's Royal Surveyors with a mark that became known as the King's Broad Arrow. This signified property of the King and the trees were to be harvested and used solely for building ships for the Royal British Navy.
This move greatly upset the colonists who made a great deal of money from the wood products they produced and sold from these native giants. One can easily understand why the early American colonists, shipbuilders, and other craftsmen were more than a little irritated. The early American pioneers had this timber on their properties, within their grasp, yet they were not to touch it. Donald Peattie in his book, A Natural History of Trees, points out that “Swamp Law” was exercised by many of the colonists, whereby many of the "King's" pines were cut illegally, the “Kings Broad Arrow” mark obliterated and the wood was put to use. So the colonists cut down all the trees marked with the king's broad arrow and then placed the broad arrow on smaller trees. This rebellion led to numerous skirmishes between the locals settlers and the British and became known as "The White Pine War".
The Revolutionary War was about many things, and Eastern White Pine weighed heavy on the minds and hearts of the colonists desire for independence. Some historians believe that denial of use of these trees was at least as instrumental as taxation of tea in bringing about the American Revolution. In fact, the Eastern White Pine was the emblem emblazoned on the first colonial flag.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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