[xcamel]

The last boreal american black pine only died out 50 years ago (there was rumored to be a stand on my property in the 1920's)

That species was the "glacial" version of ponderosa pine. It finally died out as the climate got too warm, and deciduous trees took over the canopy. I believe american black pine is now extinct.

[Ciexyz]

Most interesting about the american black pine going extinct. Somehow I never thought of trees going extinct, in contrast to "living" creatures like the passenger pigeon.