In 1998, The World List of Threatened Trees was published, indicating that more
than 8000 tree species, 10% of the world's total, are currently threatened with
extinction. Destruction of forest habitat and unsustainable logging are responsible
for the loss of economically important tree species including pines, oaks, firs,
cedar, mahogany and meranti. Very few endangered tree species are being conserved
in the wild. While many people are familiar with the concept of animals such as
the tiger and panda being threatened with extinction, fewer people know about
the perilous situation of many of the world's trees.