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

by Zach St. George

An urgent and illuminating portrait of forest migration, and of the people studying the forests of the past, protecting the forests of the present, and planting the forests of the future.

Forests are restless. Any time a tree dies or a new one sprouts, the forest that includes it has shifted. 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. Journalist 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 tender new sprouts of blight-resistant American chestnuts in New Hampshire. Everywhere he goes, St. George meets lively people on conservation’s 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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Science, Environment, Biology, History, Audiobook

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 14, 2020

About the author

Zach St. George is a science reporter who has written for the Atlantic, Scientific American, and Outside, among other publications. He earned a degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, and lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Reviews

[Connie Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the Connie Barlow who appears in the first sentence of this book, so I can offer goodreaders some backstory. Do know that I and the other lead character, Nate Stephenson (who appears in Chapter 1 and several times later in the book), agree that the author did a "stellar" job. Hence as a subject in a nonfiction book, I give it a 5-star review. Zach used the characters themselves and several forestry experts to perform a fact check of different pieces of his draft manuscript. Even in the draft stage, I found his work to be immaculate — factually, as well as his portrayal and quoting of me. Not one word did I ask to have changed. I was a science writer myself (evolution and ecology) in the 90s, and had Zach St. George been writing back then I would have been demoralized. The most I could do with carrying a narrative was in a single chapter (e.g., my own "The Ghosts of Evolution" book, published in 2001). Zach carries a narrative like no other science writer — not only within chapters but in the book overall. Hence, I keep popping up in various chapters, as does Nate Stephenson. Nate, by the way, was perched for fire evacuation from his home when I last communicated with him a couple weeks ago: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks where he works on the big trees have been closed down for fire and smoke.

BTW: I was motivated to sign up for a Goodreads account not so much to be able to write my first review here, but because when I clicked on the Sample to read I found the font resolution and page design to be a work of art and a pleasure to read. As well, both the Introduction and Chapter 1 appear in full. What a fine way to pleasurably sample a book! Thank you, Goodreads!

[Lauren]

THE JOURNEY OF TREES by Zach St. George, 2020.

"The migration of a forest is communal, it's constant. It is accomplished over many generations ... It's a question of the species succeeding more in one part of its range, becoming more abundant in one part of its range, and less abundant in another part of its range."

A fascinating look at forest migration over time and with the effects of climate change, invasive species encroachment, and the conservation efforts to assist migration.

🌲🌲 I had not fully considered the migratory patterns of forests, but thinking in the large scale of time, of course trees move: forests populated the landmasses after the last Ice Age, and forests continue to move today due to climate change with zones being flooded out or catastrophically burned, becoming infested, or more simply rising temperatures that truncate the seed cycle and make reproduction a challenge.

St. George illuminates each of these scenarios, and uses primarily US-centric case studies of Torreya taxifolia in Florida, the Giant Sequoia in California, and the emerald ash borer beetle infestation in the upper Midwest (and nearly the entire country...) to further detail tree migration and the conservation science to assist migration, study wildfire suppression, and to save forests from infestations.

🌲🌲 Recommended reading for your climate shelf, and for those of us who feel most themselves in the forest.

[jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

zach st. george's the journeys of trees is, indeed, just as the subtitle describes, a story about forests, people, and the future. in his fascinating book, the science reporter takes us around the country (and even overseas) to learn about an array of once-steadfast sylvan giants and the existential threats they face from the ravages of invasive pests and climate change alike. balancing wonder and concern, st. george focuses on five different species, as well as the people striving to ensure their place in whatever future lies in wait. part pop-science inquiry and part travel writing narrative, the journeys of tress is consistently intriguing and well-written, with surprising flashes of humor.

planting a tree, then, is a symbolic act. a tree might outlive the person who planted it by centuries or millennia, providing shade or beauty or raw materials to generations unborn. hydroseed your yard and nobody will thank you. but plant a tree, and you have extended a hand to the future.

[Robin Schultze · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 — well-researched and well-written. I went into this cautious, as someone with a background in ecology, and found it to be a great balance of interview, case study, and a light touch of the basics of ecological theory (appropriate for the context). Would recommend to anyone who’s curious about forests of the present or future.

[Elentarri · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a combination of science reporting and travel writing, St George provides a fascinating look at the history and nature of forests, how people interact with them and what the future holds for them. An overarching theme of the book is the migration of forests (or lack thereof) from one area to another. A delightful reading experience.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25-3.5 stars.
I struggled at times with his writing style and the organization of this book. Interesting information but relayed in a way that was not the best for maintaining my attention.

[Agne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a whole new view of conservation efforts in the plant kingdom. I had never really considered how modern nature preserves might not do much good if they inhibit the natural "journeys" of forests, which tend to follow climate. I loved that there were different viewpoints (and even characters) on whether relocating a species is right or not for this purpose. I also learned a lot of depressing facts about elms :(

And it's just so endearing that somewhere in America, a conservationist might right at this moment be in a forest, releasing a jar of painstakingly bred tiny Asian wasps to save the elms.

If I had to say anything critical, then it's a bit meandering, maybe.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I’m suffering from nonfiction burnout, but I just couldn’t get into this. I desperately wanted to learn about trees and their struggles from climate change, but the organization style jumps around a lot and caused me to zone in and out. Regardless, this book presents an important message overall, and I liked the author’s decision to focus on five main types of trees to tell their story.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read through the issues of climate change and its impact on trees, with lots of thought-provoking material about how humans engage with climate change more broadly. If you liked American Chestnut: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree or The Overstory, this is one to add to your list. I read a library copy but will be buying one for my bookshelf.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunningly excellent book on the vital field of Assisted Migration: assisting native trees in migrating poleward to prevent them from going extinct, given the rapidity of abrupt climate change. The audiobook is superbly narrated, showcasing Zach St. George's storytelling writing skill. If you love trees and/or want to learn about perhaps the most "holy" work with which human beings can be engaged in these collapsing, rapidly heating times, this book is a 'must read'. (Full disclosure: it features my beloved bride, Connie Barlow, throughout the book, beginning in the first sentence. :-)

[Mirek Jasinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read. It reminded me of last year's visit to Sequoia National Park and the wonder of those big, old trees. It also reminded me of The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World, which is one of my favourite books of this century.

Also, some interesting dilemmas presented here - too poop or not to poop those seeds. Read to make up your mind. :)

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very accessible book about trees, climate change, and the problems we are facing to preserve what forests we have left. I will admit I may be slightly biased toward liking this book by living in California and being familiar with some of the forest discussed in this book, as well as having worked for USGS in the past and being involved in similar research. Overall it was the type of narrative nonfiction that I really enjoy that employs a personal perspective and makes science relatable for a wide audience, which is something that we desperately need.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. This book is a discussion of climate change and assisted migration of trees (and other species). It’s relatively unbiased and very informative. Written by a writer, not a scientist, it’s readable and relatable to large audiences.

Some sections— like those recounting individual conversations and personal relationships— got dry and had disagreeable characters, but 🤷🏻‍♀️ that’s reality. I found it to truly be a book about “Journeys”, not just a call to action as many current climate books are.

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting book, a journey really. I grew up where lilacs arrived every spring and I assumed, naively, they were everywhere. Having lived in other parts of the country I know now that is not true and how I miss them. Zach St. George provides insights why trees have their locations and, in many instances, how they might have come to be where they are. This is a very thoughtful, well written book.

[Joseph Bonney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty much about how forests evolve with a lot of discussion about the effects of climate change. It was very readable and unexpectedly adventurous and inspiring. This guy drove all over America and Canada, and even flew to New Zealand, to see trees and meet people who really care about trees.

I wanted to read it because I am consistently interested and curious about “rewilding” efforts. We cut down trees and build houses, but what if we did the opposite? What if we reintroduce species to places they used to be? Maryland used to be 99% forested with wolves, bears, and even bison. With so many megafauna, the forests had a different architecture. There was very little underbrush. John Smith said you could ride a 4-wheeled carriage through the woods. Chestnuts and Elms (now functionally extinct) dominated the landscape, and those trees were HUGE. He also said that the Chesapeake Bay was so clear you could see 30 feet down (mountains of oysters filtered the water-oysters that are 99%+ gone).

These facts, compared to my modern experience of forests made me wonder what we could do. This book did a pretty good job at answering that question: we can do something, but we could easily screw it up. We could plant the wrong tree in the wrong place or reintroduce the wrong species. Even if we were able to successfully “put things back” the way they were, climate change has changed the environment. Those species may not do well where they were before. But we can do something. It just needs to be done with great care.

[Fallon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The humor felt quite forced and the writing style as a whole was not particularly engaging for me. The various threads of plot lacked a broader cohesion and while the author’s experiences might have been interesting in and of themselves, their narrative value and impacts felt very surface-level and did little to drive his points home.

I’ll allow that my disappointment may partly be due to two critiques outside of the author’s control: 1) the audiobook narrator spoke as if he were reading from a textbook; and 2) quite a bit of the history/scientific background was extremely basic to anyone with a decently strong knowledge base of ecology. I could see this book being a lot more interesting to someone who hasn’t studied much environmental science.

[Mach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and surprisingly easy to read book about how trees have evolved (and moved) with respect to climate change in the past, and how they likely will in the future. Also includes several interesting stories about specific trees, and how they have reacted to a changing environment (think Chestnut, Elm, Ash, Sequoia). It is a little nerdy, and it helps if you have an interest in trees, but not a long book and worth a read (if you are a tree nerd).

[Mrs. Danvers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting introduction. As an added bonus, the writer is local so, while he travels across the world, he often naturally turns to local examples (California being home to a number of beautiful and fascinating species).

[Brittany Loughman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a delight to read, and I learned a ton. Even in the face of impending climate disaster, I feel...hope...for the trees, if not for us.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging and eye-opening.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on how humans impact the growth and movement of trees, their seeds, and the forest they live in. I greatly enjoyed how it included the human impact and how we think we are helping, but we would know for ages to come.

[Emily Kolach · Rating 3 out of 5]

well-written and well-researched but nothing particularly amazing. the audiobook narrator was just ok and possibly brought down my enjoyment of the book. definitely an important topic

[Ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

midddddddd

[Dan Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who don't know a lot about trees, this can be an excellent introduction. There's sufficient scientific information to convey the wonder of trees without overwhelming one.

[Daggry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping but ultimately difficult read about how and when trees got to where they are—and what might happen to them in swiftly changing climate. As the author points out in the final chapter, the story is as much about humans as it is about trees. Humans have set forests or individual species on the road to vanishing via many routes: over-logging, clear-cutting for farm-land, introducing invasive pests, introducing invasive trees. Wrecking the climate is only the latest.

But the book also talks about people working to save the threatened trees and forests. It was fascinating to read about their various and debated methods. Some experts argued for assisted migration, others against. Some for introducing counterpests, some against. I have a much better understanding of how individual species might be saved and why any such project would have to be undertaken only with the greatest care. Given that trees aren’t monoliths but rather members of a broader ecological community, it makes sense that any move to save them would be incredibly complex and fraught. Still, it was a joy to read about those dedicating their lives to these problems.

As you’d expect, much of the book was not a joy. Very good, yes, but not a joy. It took me a long time to get through the chapter on the emerald ash borer. Reading about what happened to the chestnuts and elms was hard enough, but I remember when the ashes started to disappear. I couldn’t understand why certain magnificent trees were suddenly stumps. Then signs appeared on trees on my street. The municipality decided they had to come down; I could barely make my peace with this reality. It was heartbreaking and remains so.

[Kim McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know that people, animals, insects and birds migrate somewhat easily but for trees that journey is very difficult. They need to migrate if a part of the ecosystem fails or sometimes botanists and explorers move them for their own reasons. St. George gives us a naturalist view of why some tree species have endured through every disaster/disease/drought and also a few species that need to be moved or they will die out forever. He presents the science behind the success of the placement of the trees and also the history of how these trees ended up where they are. Full of interesting people behind the preservation efforts and anecdotes about the five types of trees the book focuses on. I was fascinated to learn of the extent that some of the botanists go to track down why the tree is failing or the efforts to introduce the species to a new area. For all you tree huggers out there or anyone who was fascinated by THE HIDDEN LIFE OF TREES, this is the book for you. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

[Scott Lupo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trees. A beautiful and important organism on this planet. One that has waxed and waned throughout the history of the world up to this day. Using storytelling and scientific writing, the author weaves an all too relevant story line about the migrations of trees and human interventions. While it sounds innocuous, the subject matter is by far more complex than it seems. Much of the book focuses on saving the sequoias and the Florida torreya although it mentions a number of other species of trees. One of the main concepts is what should humans do, if anything, to save species? Many past attempts have been disastrous because humans cannot possibly think of all the consequences of intervention. But can we just sit on the sidelines and do nothing? Not likely. Now, with human caused global warming adding even more complexity, we must think about what role humans should or should not play in ecosystems.

[Daniel R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the focus is trees the book does an excellent job of exploring the interplay of evolution, climate change, and conservation. In the end there are no easy or quick fixes. Humans have made a heavy handed impact on the Earth that won't be changed anytime soon. While some try to understand the full extent of that impact others are trying to ensure that we don't lose what biodiversity we have left especially among organisms like trees that can't move as easily to find new suitable territory. The book left as many questions unanswered as those that it explored but definitely made me appreciate trees even more after having previously read "The Hidden Life of Trees".

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book. I love trees and was expecting to enjoy this book, but I just didn't like the writing style. I learned one really cool thing from this book though. There is a crazy type of wasp that is as small as an amoeba! I looked up pictures online and it is unreal. So that was worth it.

[Maria Freeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting but narration is a bit annoying. Less historical than I thought it would be and more future-oriented