When the Trees Came Back

The Great Battle to Save Vermont's Forests

Robert A. Mello

• Publisher: Vermont Historical Society
• Year: 2026
• Topic: History
• eBook ISBN:
  9780934720892
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

Although long recognized as the "Green Mountain State," Vermont's hillsides were once nearly completely bare. By the 1880s, unsustainable logging and farming practices had decimated its once-dense forests, with enormous environmental consequences. When the Trees Came Back: The Great Battle to Save Vermont's Forests tells the story of how a group of dedicated advocates, citizens, and lawmakers turned the tide at the dawn of the 20th century. It explains how their efforts contributed to the remarkable recovery of Vermont's forests, and provides lessons for protecting our forests in an uncertain future.

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Halftitle page
• Title page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Introduction
• Chapter 1. “The earth is fast becoming an unfit home”
• Chapter 2. “The saw mills in this section are running day and night”
• Chapter 3. First Salvo of the Battle for the Forests
• Chapter 4. Lumber Kings, Paper Mills, and the Fight for Addison County’s Forests
• Chapter 5. “Forever” and “In Trust”: The Last Will and Testament of Joseph Battell
• Chapter 6. Lewis R. Jones and the Forestry Association of Vermont
• Chapter 7. A Tree Nursery and Forestry Plan for Vermont
• Chapter 8. “Imperative that we act promptly before it is everlastingly too late”
• Chapter 9. Breakthrough: Jones’ Great Legislative Battle
• Chapter 10. Austin F. Hawes Takes Over as State Forester
• Chapter 11. Joseph Battell’s Last Fight for the Forests
• Chapter 12. The Struggle to Introduce Scientific Forestry
• Chapter 13. Lessons Learned
• Chapter 14. Remarkable Turnaround
• Epilogue
• Acknowledgments
• Notes
• Bibliography
• About the Authors