"For decades, the forests of Eastern North America have faced pathogen and insect pests that have functionally removed tree species from the landscape. This book presents the ecological roles that the trees play, the biology of the threats faced, and theapproaches that may remediate the problems"--
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 treesthe American elm, the American chestnut, the eastern hemlock, the white ash, and the sugar mapleand 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.
