Black cherry trees are no longer the enemy
Photomontage of Black Cherry Trees and Newspaper Headlines
One headline of a Dutch newspaper reads, “The black cherry trees are no longer the enemy,” referring to overzealous efforts to eradicate the trees after they were widely planted but then overstepped their bounds, competing with native species. Instead of futile efforts to eliminate black cherry, the article recommends creating a resilient forest. In a warming world, human beings, plants, and animals will need to be accommodated as they move from areas that have become uninhabitable. How can we respect our ancestors, local cultures, and local ecosystems while at the same time welcoming new residents?