Broad Arrow

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The broad arrow was used by the British to mark trees (one species of which was the eastern white pine) intended for ship building use in North America during colonial times. [20] Use of the broad arrow mark commenced in earnest in 1691 with the Massachusetts Charter, which contained a Mast Preservation Clause specifying, in part:[21]

Initially England imported its mast trees from the Baltic states, but it was an expensive, lengthy and politically treacherous proposition. In Victoria, Australia for example, Part 4 of the Forests (Licences and Permits) Regulations 2009 states that “an authorised officer may use the broad arrow brand … to mark trees in a timber harvesting area which are not to be felled; or to indicate forest produce which has been seized under the Act; or to indicate that forest produce lawfully cut or obtained is not to be removed until the brand is obliterated with the crown brand by any authorised officer.”

Source: en.wikipedia.org