E. Lucy Braun Books

This seminal work explores the history of eastern North American woodlands, tracing their evolution from ancient times to the arrival of European settlers, which marked a period of significant transformation. The author divides the region into smaller ecosystems based on dominant deciduous species, such as the Oak-Hickory and Maple-Basswood Regions, while examining current plant distribution and paleobotanic records. Through extensive field studies conducted over several decades in diminishing virgin landscapes across Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, the Virginias, and Pennsylvania, the author builds a comprehensive picture of the primordial environment. A professor at the University of Cincinnati, she led extensive investigations into forest ecosystems and became the first woman president of the Ecological Society of America, playing a key role in preserving 10,000 wooded acres in Ohio. Her research was foundational in establishing plant ecology as an academic discipline. This meticulously documented reference covers regional changes from prehistoric times through the 1950s and is richly illustrated with maps and tables. It is essential for serious students of dendrology, botany, and ecology, as well as conservationists seeking a deeper understanding of forested landscapes.