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Bretzfelder Summer Series: Pine Tree Riot
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Wrapping up our Bretzfelder Park Family Education August series with The Pine Tree Riot and Dave Govatski - naturalist and forest historian retired with the US Forest Service.How did the Eastern White Pine play such an oversized role in the founding of our country? The Pine Tree Riot in Weare, N. H., in 1772 was one of the first acts of significant resistance to the King of England and inspired the Boston Tea Party. The opposition to the King’s Broad Arrow Policy reserving white pine for masts for the Royal Navy in New Hampshire and Maine, was opposed by American settlers.
The program examines the natural history of the Eastern White Pine and how this tree became such a strategic military necessity. The Pine Tree Riot was followed by a similar incident in Falmouth (Portland), Maine, that led to the British bombarding the city and instituting the Intolerable Acts, which led to our War for Independence. In 1781, the British were defeated at Yorktown, due in part to the lack of masts for Royal Navy ships. David Govatski is a naturalist and forest historian who retired after a 33-year career with the US Forest Service.
This free program is interactive and designed to engage and educate audience members of all ages, and is part of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests’ Bretzfelder Park Family Educational Series. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. Walk-ins are welcome; those registered will receive updates about any changes. The Bretzfelder Park Family Educational series is presented each year in winter and summer by the Forest Society and the Bretzfelder Park Committee.
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