Book Talk: Trent Preszler, Author of Evergreen: The Trees That Shaped America

An enduring spirit and more than a Christmas tree, the evergreen is both tangible and symbolic. Get to the root of the matter with Trent Preszler, author of Evergreen: The Trees that Shaped America (Algonquin Books, Dec 2025) as he reveals the hidden world of a tree that is central to so many cultures and landscapes, especially the East End.

Joined in conversation by The Church co-founder April Gornik, the two will guide the audience through a sweeping journey across century and continents, exploring Preszler’s powerful case that the American cultural landscape (and economy) would not be the same without these trees. Following the discussion there will be a Q&A and a book signing.

“It changed the way I see the world!” exclaims Gornik as Preszler digs deep with meticulous research to deliver an impactful and poignant portrait of the beloved tree and presents a timely call to action to tend to our environmental responsibilities.  From its symbolic evolution through paganism, Catholicism, patriotism, and capitalism to its intimate relationship with underrepresented people like the Indigenous, the enslaved, immigrants, and Queer woodworkers, the Evergreen has played an integral role in the shaping of the inner landscape of the American people.

But Evergreen is also the story of power and commerce, as America’s evergreens built ships, railroads, cities, and fortunes, while fueling westward expansion and industrial growth. Drawing on his background as a professor of applied economics at Cornell University, Preszler asks what the American pursuit of progress reveals about the cost of abundance in living ecosystems.

A very special thank you to Book Hampton for being our community bookseller for the program! This reading and discussion has been programmed in tandem with our summer exhibition THIS LAND: Considering the American Landscape, which can be viewed June 21 – September 6 during our exhibition hours 11 AM – 5 PM, Thursday-Monday.