Liberty Tree

The Liberty Tree was an elm tree standing at the corner of Essex and Washington Streets in Boston, serving as a gathering place for colonists. The tree was large enough to shelter hundreds of people beneath its branches.

The tree gained fame in 1765 when colonists hung effigies from its branches to protest the Stamp Act. During the British occupation of Boston, soldiers cut it down and burned the wood for fuel.

The tree served as a gathering place where colonists read official notices and debated political matters among themselves. These meetings became central to how local communities expressed their resistance to British policies.

The original site is marked with a plaque at the street corner and is easy to locate. The location sits in a busy commercial area with nearby shops and buildings, so you can reach it easily on foot.

British soldiers cut down the tree in 1775 and used its wood for fuel during their occupation of the city. The wood from this symbol of resistance was burned against the very cause it represented.

Location: Massachusetts

GPS coordinates: 42.35240,-71.06260

Latest update: December 18, 2025 11:41