Tree by Tree

Saving North America's Eastern Forests

Scott J. Meiners

• Publisher: Comstock Publishing Associates
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9781501771262
• eBook ISBN: 9781501771286
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Botany
• Index: Biological Sciences

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

Meiners focuses on five familiar trees—the American elm, the American chestnut, the eastern hemlock, the white ash, and the 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 the disappearance of these trees 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.

Table of contents

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction: First, Some Context
• 1. American Elm—Ulmus americana
• 2. American Chestnut—Castanea dentata
• 3. Eastern Hemlock—Tsuga canadensis
• 4. White Ash—Fraxinus americana
• 5. Sugar Maple—Acer saccharum
• 6. Other Trees with Other Challenges
• 7. The Next in Line
• 8. Accumulating Impacts—Putting It All Together
• Conclusion: Protecting Our Forests’ Future
• References by Chapter
• Index