time of shifting societal values. The opening of the book establishes the forest setting and introduces the character of Michel de Meximieu, who exhibits a deep affection for the trees he oversees. He grapples with instructions from his father that require the felling of ancient oaks due to financial pressures. As Michel interacts with workers like the young and reserved bûcheron Gilbert Cloquet, the stage is set for conflicts that revolve around the social and economic challenges of the time. The chapter captures the tensions between the nobility and the working class while portraying Michel's internal struggles, highlighting his reluctance to conform to the damage inflicted on the land and the people he cares about. (This is an automatically generated summary.)