From the introduction: Many varieties of trees common on Earth are also common in the Forgotten Realms. In warmer regions, the date palm, coconut palm, ebony, cypress, and mangrove are common. Evergreens exist in the northern regions, and most hardwoods live in the central forests. Birch and yew are rare in the Realms; alder, boxwood, the plane tree, redwood, and sycamore are unknown. Cork and rubber trees are found only in particular areas in the far South and are disappearing quickly due to heavy harvests. Many recent explorations of the lands of Chult have been undertaken simply to find new suppliers of these woods.)