A single tree rising from the middle of a grassland can look almost like a watchful guardian. Some people may find themselves wondering why that particular tree happens to grow in that exact location. For those who feel small, exposed, or unprotected within the enormous open landscape, however, the sight of a solitary tree can provide a sense of comfort while giving the eyes a welcome focal point.

Wildlife can also make good use of these isolated trees. Whether they are tall or low, slender or broad, alive or standing dead, they provide opportunities that the surrounding grassland cannot. For birds, a solitary tree can serve as a convenient perch for watching and hunting, or as a sheltered location for constructing a nest. For livestock, it can become a place to rub and scratch against, or a source of shade that offers protection from intense sunlight.

Across the 20 national grasslands, trees can tell stories about the past. Some mark the locations of former homesteads, while others reveal areas where water once flowed intermittently. In certain climates, they can even indicate periods during the 20th century when rainfall was more than sufficient.

Trees are unusual features within national grasslands. Just as we might question why a particular tree has taken root in one seemingly unexpected place, we can also wonder about the historical events and circumstances that ultimately resulted in the creation of these national grasslands.

In this sense, the national grasslands themselves stand as sentinels of the Forest Service, preserving traces of both the natural environment and the human history that shaped these wide-open landscapes.