The interpretative sign for the Liberty Tree Grove includes a diagram showing the locations of the trees which are all visible and within 200 feet of this sign. A smaller sign is located next to each tree describing the particular historical significance and the branch of armed service represented by that tree. Although you can obtain the needed information for the final stage from the main sign we recommend that you spend a few minutes to read the signs at each tree before heading to the final cache location. Additional waypoints for the park entrance and parking lot are provided below. Please only park at the parking lots within the park. Parking along the roadways or at the adjacent elementary school is prohibited. The park is open from dawn to dusk.
History reports that the first Liberty Tree was an American Elm that stood near Hanover Square in Boston, Massachusetts from 1646-1775. In August of 1765 a group of militant citizens gathered beneath this large elm tree to protest the Stamp Act imposed on the American colonies by the British government. This group called themselves the Sons of Liberty and concluded their protest by hanging two tax collectors in effigy from the limbs of the tree. This tree became known as the Liberty Tree and witnessed many assemblies expressing views and emotions concerning British taxation of the colonies. News of the Liberty Tree spread throughout the colonies and local patriots in all 13 colonies established Liberty Trees as a place for conducting meetings. Prior to the Revolutionary War unauthorized assemblies could result in imprisonment or death, so the appearance of a group casually chatting beneath a tree proved to be much safer. During the siege of Boston in 1775 a group of Loyalists cut down the Liberty Tree in an act of spite. Although the tree was gone the unwavering spirit of liberty lived on as flags bearing a representation of the Liberty Tree were a common sight during battles of the American Revolution.
In the below list we have assigned a number to each type of tree and branch of armed service that you will find at the Liberty Tree Grove.
| TYPE OF TREE |
BRANCH OF SERVICE |
| Honey Locust = 8 |
Air Force = 3 |
| Osage Orange = 3 |
Army = 6 |
| Red Maple = 5 |
Coast Guard = 5 |
| Sweetgum = 6 |
Navy = 2 |
| Sycamore = 4 |
Marines = 1 |
| Tulip Popular = 7 |
Merchant Marines = 7 |
|
PA National Guard = 4 |
The final stage is located at N 40° 25.ABC’ and W 80° 14.DEF’
To complete the final coordinates use the interpretive sign to determine the type of tree and branch of service for each of the below Liberty Tree descriptions. Insert the corresponding number from the above list and do the math.
This tree grew from the seed of a tree growing at George Washington’s Mount Vernon home.
(Tree Type) _____ Minus (Branch of Service) _____ = A
This tree grew from the seed of a tree growing at Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Hyde Park Estate.
(Tree Type) _____ Minus (Branch of Service) _____ = B
Astronaut Stuart Roosa took seeds to the moon on Apollo XIV and planted those seeds upon his return. This tree grew from the seed of one of those trees.
(Tree Type) _____ Minus (Branch of Service) _____ = C
This tree grew from the seed of a tree that shades Betsy Ross’s home and workshop in Philadelphia, PA.
(Tree Type) _____ Minus (Branch of Service) _____ = D
This tree grew from the seed of a tree overlooking a field in Kitty Hawk, NC where the Wright brothers made their first successful flight.
(Tree Type) _____ Minus (Branch of Service) _____ = E
This tree grew from the seed of a tree standing near the platform where Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.
(Tree Type) _____ Minus (Branch of Service) _____ = F
Congratulations to jensmom and dalewrench for their joint FTF.