Surveyor of Pines and Timber

"Surveyors of Pines and Timber" were British officials who surveyed New England's forest lands within ten miles of navigable waterways, selecting trees suitable for masts for ships of the British Navy, and marking these trees with the "King's Broad Arrow." This mark, three hatchet strokes, served to warn others that the tree was claimed by the King of England. The "Surveyor-General of His Majesty's Woods in America" was an official appointed by the King and charged with the responsibility for selecting, marking and recording trees chosen for masts, as well as policing and enforcing the unlicensed cutting of protected trees.