"tree of liberty", 1765 (OED, also 1765)

[Joel S. Berson]

The OED has "tree of liberty" from 1765, in the "Universal
Magazine".  Primary sources, same year:

(1)  The earliest in EAN, Oct. 17:

The Subscriber hereby Notifies all Persons Licensed to sell Tea,
Coffee and Chiina Ware in the County of Essex, that he will attend to
receive the Duties arising on said Articles on Monday the 11th of
November next at Major Moors at Haverhill [and elsewhere on other
dates]. ... All those who do not give their Attendance at the Times
and Places abovementioned are desired to settle the same with me at
my House near the TREE OF LIBERTY, South-End, Boston, in order to
prevent further Trouble.
John Haskins, Farmer.

Source:  Boston News-Letter, published as The Boston News-Letter and
New-England Chronicle; Date: 10-17-1765; Issue: 3237; Page: [3], col. 2.  [EAN]

I will presume this is satirical, even though it appears among the
advertisements rather than in the news/essays/letters

(2)  Perhaps a more enlightening context, Nov. 4:

Last Friday being the Day the Stamp-Act was to take Place, ... yet
the People were soon informed that the Great Tree at the South Part
of the Town (Known by the Name of the Tree of Liberty ever since the
memorable 14th of August) was adorned with the Effigies of the two
famous or rather imnfamous enemies of American Liberty, G---ge
G--nv-le and J-hn H-sk.

Source:  Boston Evening-Post, published as Boston Evening Post.;
Date: 11-04-1765; Issue: 1573; Page: [3], col. 1. [EAN]

The hanging of Andrew Oliver in effigy occurred Aug. 14.

Joel

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