In this magnificently illustrated book, conservationist and celebrated outdoors photographer Tim Palmer launches us on a revealing journey among the hemlock and beech trees that have for millennia towered over America’s eastern woodlands.

The eastern hemlock and North American beech once thrived from Maine to Georgia, casting shade on trout streams, nourishing wildlife large and small, and gracing uncounted valleys, mountainsides, parks, and backyards. These trees now face tragic decimation by exotic insects and pathogens. Palmer’s photos record the splendor of the cherished hemlock and beech in the same way that pictures of iconic, historic buildings commemorate classic landmarks gone the way of the wrecking ball. And yet, as Palmer underscores in his final chapter, the lessons learned as we address the fate of these trees can help us chart a better course for all wooded landscapes in the years ahead. This story of loss, scientific inquiry, and prospective recovery is vital to understanding nature in our time.

As an act of artistic preservation, a report on the science vital to the survival of these trees, and a call to action, Twilight of the Hemlocks and Beeches assures a lasting legacy for this irreplaceable forest community. With more than one hundred exquisite full-color photographs, this book is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts, natural historians, ecologists, and all lovers of nature.


Rivers of Pennsylvania

by Tim Palmer

Published 1 October 1990
An introduction to Pennsylvania's usable streams 45,000 miles of them this book is designed to stimulate interest, enjoyment, and concern. Together with pleasurable reading, information is provided for the active or prospective canoeist, kayaker, boater, or rafter; the hiker or camper; the nature or history buff; the angler or conservationist.Each chapter features the author's experience on a major stream in one of the Keystone State's three great river basins: the Susquehanna, the Ohio, and the Delaware with notes on the peripheral Genesee, Lake Erie, and Potomac watersheds. Coverage is given of all significant streams, focusing on particular recreational features, historical events, or environmental issues.A section at the back of the book gives practical suggestions for riverine recreation: where to go, what to expect there, and how to keep safe and comfortable. Topics covered are: places for canoeing, boating, and rafting; fishing sites; hiking trails; camping places; and tips for safety, health, and comfort. The entire book is illustrated with maps and photographs, including a section in color.The general introduction to Rivers of Pennsylvania presents a geographical and geological overview, and a concluding chapter summarizes unsolved problems and challenges. The future of Pennsylvania rivers is shown to require responsible stewardship: a balancing of equally legitimate goals in the domains of industrial, agricultural, and residential development; health and recreation; and conservation not only of the streams themselves but also of their ecologically related fauna and flora."