Trees and Forests of the World

Why They Matter to Us

By: Markku Larjavaara

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eText | 8 April 2026

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Did you know that increasing wind speeds are not toppling trees - but fierce competition is? Or that deforesting without a bulldozer is difficult in many climates? Here we explore the world's trees and forests, challenging established perspectives on fundamental questions: why do trees grow to the sizes they do? How much forest cover we should aim for? Efforts to better understand the use and management of the world's forests are hindered by intentionally ambiguous terms that make analytical discussions unnecessarily difficult. Myths—such as the belief that forests and trees always have positive effects on people, that prehistoric humans lived in perfect harmony with nature, or that climate change only brings catastrophic problems—further complicate efforts to determine how much forest we truly need. Unfortunately, forest science is not free from biases, and many researchers consider this state of affairs both normal and acceptable. Trees and Forests of the World: Why They Matter to Us takes a unique approach, blending insights from both natural and social sciences to draw conclusions that diverge sharply from the polarized perspectives dominating current debates on forest use. It features dozens of "Sceptic's Questions," which directly challenge conventional ways of thinking, as well as "Weird Thinking" text boxes that offer novel perspectives on important topics.