Bradford Pines Natural Area

🏆🏆🏆🏆 Ancient White Pines — Stand of massive old-growth white pines — some among the largest in New Hampshire

Bradford Pines Natural Area protects a stand of massive old-growth eastern white pines in Bradford — some of the largest remaining white pines in New Hampshire. These towering trees recall the colonial-era “King’s Pines” — the tallest white pines were marked with the King’s Broad Arrow and reserved for Royal Navy masts. The Pine Tree Riot of 1772 in nearby Weare was a direct precursor to the American Revolution — when colonists attacked a sheriff trying to enforce the King’s pine laws. New Hampshire’s state tree is the white pine, commemorating this defiant heritage.

Visitor Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Pine Tree Riot?

In April 1772 — three years before Lexington — Weare loggers attacked a sheriff enforcing King George’s pine laws. They beat him with tree switches, cropped his horses’ ears, and ran his deputies out of town. It was one of America’s first acts of organized resistance to British authority.

About Bradford Pines

Bradford Pines Natural Area in Bradford protects a magnificent stand of old-growth white pine — some of the largest and oldest white pines surviving in New England. White pine was the “mast tree” of the British Royal Navy — the Crown reserved all pines over 24 inches in diameter for ship masts, carving the “King’s Broad Arrow” into the bark. Colonial resentment of this pine policy helped fuel the American Revolution.

Things to Do

Walking among massive old-growth white pines, photography of towering trees, nature study, and learning about the colonial pine tree controversy that contributed to American independence.

Wildlife & Nature

Bradford Pines Natural Area — in Bradford — preserves a magnificent stand of old-growth white pines, some exceeding 150 feet in height and 200+ years old. These towering pines — remnants of the original forests that once blanketed New Hampshire — survived the massive 18th and 19th-century logging that supplied mast timbers for the Royal Navy. Pileated woodpeckers nest in the giant pines. Barred owls roost in the canopy. Red squirrels harvest pine cones.

Nearby Attractions

Bradford — adjacent — is a small New England town. Lake Massasecum — nearby — offers swimming. Mount Sunapee State Park — 15 miles north — has skiing and Lake Sunapee beach. New London — 10 miles north — has Colby-Sawyer College.