INTRODUCTION 



known historic events as in its influence 

 over those who gazed upon its stately form, 

 and received, therefrom, a vision. 



The following pages will bring before the 

 observation of the reader in a fairly com- 

 prehensive way, all trees generally known 

 as historic in the Commonwealth of Massa- 

 chusetts, together with the principal events 

 connected with each of them. A goodly 

 number of typical trees which have no his- 

 toric connections, other than those arising 

 from age, beauty or location, are also in- 

 cluded in the text. 



It is usually conceded that a tree beneath 

 whose shade some event of significance in 

 the life of the State or the Nation took 

 place is an historic tree. The Charter Oak 

 and the Washington Elm above mentioned 

 may be cited at random as good examples 

 of this type of landmark. The definition 

 should also include any tree rendered famous 

 by a noted personage, leader or pioneer — 

 Daniel Boone's "Bar Tree" for example.^ 



1 The Charter Oak and the "Bar Tree" are, of course, not 

 connected with Massachusetts, but are cited for the purpose 

 of making the definition perfectly clear. 



CxviO 



