The Appeal to Heaven Flag, otherwise known as the Pine Tree Flag, or the Washington's Cruisers Flag, is known to have been designed by General Washington's secretary, Colonel Joseph Reed. In a letter dated October 21, 1775, Reed suggested a "flag with a white ground and a tree in the middle, the motto AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN" be used for the ships Washington commissioned.
The Northern Pine tree was a common symbol in early America as it stood for strength and prosperity, while possessing religious connotations due to how tall the trees grew, reaching into the heavens.
Furthermore, the northern pine was a prized commodity used to make ship masts, and the straightest of trees were marked with 3 hatchet slashes in the shape of an arrow shape known as the "King's Broad Arrow", denoting that tree as property of the Royal Crown.
