Contrary to what Asa believes, Maine’s nickname of “The Pine Tree State” is not because Santa prefers Christmas trees from Maine. Rather our state earned its nickname from its extensive pine forests, and the prominent role that tree played in our history. In fact long before we earned our other nickname of “Vacationland,” Maine’s forests have been attracting attention.

By the 17th century, Great Britain had depleted its forests and needed the tall, straight white pines of Maine to build their ships. The huge old growth pine trees were especially desirable for masts. Therefore to ensure that the best of the mast trees remained available for the Royal Navy and British ship builders, England declared the largest white pines to be the property of the King, and marked them with a “broad arrow.” Thus reserving them for government use only, with strict penalties for those who dared to cut one down. In fact, they were such a precious commodity, King George even appointed surveyor-generals to keep track of these trees. Today signs of the early shipbuilding industry can still be seen throughout Maine, with the many “Mast Roads” that were created to haul away these trees. Thankfully though there were plenty of trees so that not all were reserved for the Mast Trade. Pine was common and easy to cut, so found many uses in the growing country.

Since the colonial period, Maine has been a leading producer of lumber products. This is why a pine tree was chosen to be prominently displayed on the state logo in 1820, and included on the first official state flag in 1901. However, the White Pine did not become the official state tree of Maine until 1945. It was the pine cone and tassel that first drew individual recognition as an important state symbol when it was designated as the state flower in 1895. Mainers were bending the rules though, because technically a pine cone is a strobilus, and not a flower. But you try explaining that to a proud lumberjack!

According to a Department of Agriculture, in 2017 “Maine contains an estimated 17.6 million acres of forest land and covers 89.1 percent of the land area in the state.” Of that, the Red Spruce is the most common tree found in Maine, followed by the Red Maple, Eastern White Pine, Balsam Fir, and Northern White Cedar rounding out the top five trees. And that my friends, is why Maine is known as The Pine Tree State.