An American Liberty Elm was named after the Liberty Tree, the country’s first symbol of freedom. On the morning of August 14, 1765, the people of Boston discovered their stamp collector hung in effigy from a giant elm. A few days later, the Sons of Liberty hoisted a great flag, the Rebellious Stripes, in protest of the King’s Stamp Act. From that day forward, that elm, flying America’s first flag, became known as the Liberty Tree. It stood in silent witness to countless meetings, speeches, and celebrations and became the rallying place for the Sons of Liberty. Ten years later, in August 1775, British soldiers cut it down because it bore the name Liberty.