The nicknamed “smallest national forest in the United States”
photography by: Paxson Woelber/ Wikimedia Commons
Often dubbed Earth's lungs, forests are vital to life as they produce oxygen and shelter countless species. These vast woodlands tend to stretch across large territories, where they sustain ecosystems on a grand scale. Yet, apparently, not all forests fit this image. The smallest U.S. National Forest, a self-proclaimed title, is a cluster of fewer than 50 trees that stand in stark contrast, rising alone over the barren landscape of Adak Island, Alaska.
By: Miranda Mckeown
Date: 18:42 17.03.25
Last Update: 18:42 17.03.25
The United States is home to an extensive system of national forests, covering nearly 190 million acres across the country. These forests, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, serve as vital ecosystems, recreational areas, and sometimes, also as a source of timber.
Some, like California’s vast Sierra National Forest, are expansive and teeming with numerous species of plants and animals. Others, however, are remarkably small, none more so than the so-called Adak National Forest in Alaska, an antithesis to the sprawling woodlands found elsewhere in the country.
Located on Adak Island, part of the Aleutian chain, Adak National Forest comprises a meager 33 pine trees huddled at the base of a hill. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture does not officially recognize it as a national forest, its moniker has stuck for decades, largely due to a tongue-in-cheek sign placed there in the early 1960s reading, “You are now entering and leaving Adak National Forest.”
The origins of these trees date back to World War II, when the U.S. military, stationed on the island to counter Japanese forces in the Aleutians, attempted to introduce greenery to the otherwise barren landscape. The effort was spearheaded by General Simon Buckner, who hoped planting Christmas trees would boost the morale of troops coping with the harsh climate.
Between 1943 and 1945, pine trees were planted, but most did not survive the island’s relentless wind, rain, and cold. For years, only a single tree remained, standing alone as a vestige of the failed experiment. Yet over time, a few others managed to take root, forming what is now considered the smallest “forest” in the United States. Though dwarfed by the elements, the trees still stand and provide a rare contrast to the surrounding treeless tundra.
Today, the grove remains a quirky landmark, revered by the few locals who call this island home. In fact, every December, Aleutian islanders decorate the trees as a homage to their original purpose.
