Tree by Tree: Saving North America's Eastern Forests

Tree by Tree is a warning and a toolkit for the future of forest recovery. Scott Meiners investigates the critical biological threats endangering tree species native to the forests of eastern North America, providing a needed focus on this plight. If we are to save our forests, Meiners suggests, the first step is to recognize the threats in front of us.

Meiners focuses on five familiar trees--the American elm, the American chestnut, eastern hemlock, white ash, and sugar maple--and shares why they matter economically, ecologically, and culturally. From outbreaks of Dutch elm disease to infestations of emerald ash borers, Meiners highlights the challenges that have led or will lead to their disappearance from forests. In doing so, he shows us how diversity loss often disrupts intricately balanced ecosystems and how vital it is that we pay more attention to massive changes in forest composition.

With practical steps for the conservation of native tree species, Tree by Tree offers the inspiration and insights we need to begin saving our forests.