Trees Are Where You Find Them

"Trees Are Where You Find Them" by Arthur Dekker Savage is a science fiction short story published in the early 1950s. Set in a rural logging community in southwest Oregon, the narrative explores themes of conservation versus economic development, particularly concerning the relationship between the community and the natural environment. The story centers on characters who grapple with the impact of an impending pulp mill and deal with the encroachment of outsider interests on their way of life. The plot follows Doc Yoris, a local doctor who values the virgin timberland he inhabits, as he confronts Burt Holden, a businessman aiming to buy out local operations and establish a pulp mill. During an evening outing at the local tavern, tensions rise between Doc and Burt over the implications of the proposed mill, which threatens to decimate the surrounding forest. In a blend of humor and seriousness, Doc offers to give Burt his valuable timber in exchange for a promise to abandon his plans for the mill. Ultimately, the story reflects on themes of greed, the preservation of nature, and the clash between local traditions and commercial interests, as Doc's unorthodox request establishes a comedic and poignant confrontation between the two characters.

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