The Journeys of Trees: A Story about Forests, People, and the Future

The Journeys of Trees is a book that explores the evolving movements of forests by focusing on five trees: giant sequoia, ash, black spruce, Florida torreya, and Monterey pine. It combines science reporting and travel writing to show how humans felling trees, invasive pests, and the climate are threatening to overwhelm these vital movements. The book also highlights the work of activists, biologists, and foresters who are fighting for the uncertain future of our environment.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 05 April 2022
Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Forests are dynamic and ever-changing ecosystems, constantly adapting to the shifting dynamics of life. When a tree dies or a new one sprouts, the entire forest undergoes a transformation. When these new trees grow in the same direction, the forest as a whole begins to migrate, sometimes at astonishing speeds. However, today, a multitude of obstacles threatens to overwhelm these vital movements. Humans, driven by their insatiable demand for resources, are felling trees at an alarming rate, billions of them every year. Invasive pests, transported across global trade networks, are also posing a significant threat to forests. Moreover, the climate is changing faster than ever before, putting immense pressure on forests to adapt and survive.

The Journeys of Trees is a captivating blend of science reporting and travel writing that delves into the intricate movements of forests. The book focuses on five remarkable trees: the giant sequoia, ash, black spruce, Florida torreya, and Monterey pine. Author Zach St George embarks on a journey to visit these trees in forests across continents, uncovering fascinating insights about their adaptations and struggles.

In California, St George witnesses the alarming loss of needles among giant sequoias, a phenomenon linked to climate change. He explores fossil records in Alaska, which reveal the paths of ancient forests that have endured through centuries. He also encounters domesticated pines in New Zealand, where they have been cultivated for agricultural purposes. In New Hampshire, he witnesses the resurgence of blight-resistant American chestnuts, a species that was nearly wiped out by a devastating disease.

Throughout his travels, St George meets passionate conservationists and activists who are working tirelessly to protect and preserve forests. He treks through the woods alongside biologists, foresters, and environmentalists, each with their unique expertise and role in the fight for the uncertain future of our environment. The Journeys of Trees offers an eye-opening investigation into forest migration, both past and present. It examines the challenges that forests face and explores how we can all contribute to their survival and thriving.

The book emphasizes the importance of preserving and restoring forests as vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, regulate climate, and provide habitat for countless species. It highlights the devastating impact of deforestation and the urgent need to address the root causes of environmental degradation. The Journeys of Trees provides practical solutions and strategies for individuals, communities, and governments to support forest conservation.

One of the key messages of the book is the interconnectedness of forests and the broader ecosystem. Forests play a crucial role in capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, mitigating climate change. They also provide a buffer against natural disasters, such as floods and landslides, by absorbing water and reducing erosion. Moreover, forests are home to numerous plant and animal species, many of which are endangered or threatened by human activities.

The book encourages individuals to adopt sustainable practices that promote forest conservation. This includes reducing waste, supporting sustainable forestry, and advocating for policies that protect forests and their ecosystems. It also emphasizes the importance of reforestation and afforestation, which can help restore degraded forests and create new habitats for wildlife.

In conclusion, The Journeys of Trees is a captivating and informative book that offers a deep understanding of the complex movements of forests and the urgent need to protect them. Through its focus on five remarkable trees and the stories of the people who are working tirelessly to preserve them, the book inspires hope and action for a brighter and more sustainable future. By recognizing the value of forests and taking steps, we can all contribute to the survival and thriving of these vital ecosystems.
Forests are restless. When a tree dies or a new one sprouts, the forest that includes it shifts. When new trees sprout in the same direction, the whole forest begins to migrate, sometimes at astonishing rates. Today, however, an array of obstacles—humans felling trees by the billions, invasive pests transported through global trade—threaten to overwhelm these vital movements. Worst of all, the climate is changing faster than ever before and forests are struggling to keep up. A deft blend of science reporting and travel writing, The Journeys of Trees explores the evolving movements of forests by focusing on five trees: giant sequoia,ash,black spruce,Florida torreya and Monterey pine. Zach St George visits these trees in forests across continents,finding sequoias losing their needles in California,fossil records showing the paths of ancient forests in Alaska,domesticated pines in New Zealand and new sprouts of blight-resistant American chestnuts in New Hampshire. Everywhere he goes,St George meets lively people on conservations front lines,from an ecologist studying droughts to an evolutionary evangelist with plans to save a dying species. He treks through the woods with activists,biologists and foresters,each with their own role to play in the fight for the uncertain future of our environment. An eye-opening investigation into forest migration past and present, The Journeys of Trees examines how we can all help our trees,and our planet,survive and thrive.
Forests are dynamic and ever-changing ecosystems, constantly adapting to the shifting dynamics of life. When a tree dies or a new one sprouts, the entire forest undergoes a transformation. When these new trees grow in the same direction, the forest as a whole begins to migrate, sometimes at astonishing speeds. However, today, a multitude of obstacles threatens to overwhelm these vital movements. Humans, driven by their insatiable demand for resources, are felling trees at an alarming rate, billions of them every year. Invasive pests, transported across global trade networks, are also posing a significant threat to forests. Moreover, the climate is changing faster than ever before, putting immense pressure on forests to adapt and survive.

The Journeys of Trees is a captivating blend of science reporting and travel writing that delves into the intricate movements of forests. The book focuses on five remarkable trees: the giant sequoia, ash, black spruce, Florida torreya, and Monterey pine. Author Zach St George embarks on a journey to visit these trees in forests across continents, uncovering fascinating insights about their adaptations and struggles.

In California, St George witnesses the alarming loss of needles among giant sequoias, a phenomenon linked to climate change. He explores fossil records in Alaska, which reveal the paths of ancient forests that have endured through centuries. He also encounters domesticated pines in New Zealand, where they have been cultivated for agricultural purposes. In New Hampshire, he witnesses the resurgence of blight-resistant American chestnuts, a species that was nearly wiped out by a devastating disease.

Throughout his travels, St George meets passionate conservationists and activists who are working tirelessly to protect and preserve forests. He treks through the woods alongside biologists, foresters, and environmentalists, each with their unique expertise and role in the fight for the uncertain future of our environment. The Journeys of Trees offers an eye-opening investigation into forest migration, both past and present. It examines the challenges that forests face and explores how we can all contribute to their survival and thriving.

The book emphasizes the importance of preserving and restoring forests as vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, regulate climate, and provide habitat for countless species. It highlights the devastating impact of deforestation and the urgent need to address the root causes of environmental degradation. The Journeys of Trees provides practical solutions and strategies for individuals, communities, and governments to support forest conservation.

One of the key messages of the book is the interconnectedness of forests and the broader ecosystem. Forests play a crucial role in capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, mitigating climate change. They also provide a buffer against natural disasters, such as floods and landslides, by absorbing water and reducing erosion. Moreover, forests are home to numerous plant and animal species, many of which are endangered or threatened by human activities.

The book encourages individuals to adopt sustainable practices that promote forest conservation. This includes reducing waste, supporting sustainable forestry, and advocating for policies that protect forests and their ecosystems. It also emphasizes the importance of reforestation and afforestation, which can help restore degraded forests and create new habitats for wildlife.

In conclusion, The Journeys of Trees is a captivating and informative book that offers a deep understanding of the complex movements of forests and the urgent need to protect them. Through its focus on five remarkable trees and the stories of the people who are working tirelessly to preserve them, the book inspires hope and action for a brighter and more sustainable future. By recognizing the value of forests and taking steps, we can all contribute to the survival and thriving of these vital ecosystems.

Weight: 204g
Dimension: 138 x 210 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781324020233