The Integral Trees forms part of Niven's Leshy Circuit series which also includes A World Out of Time (1976).

The link in these stories is the totalitarian state of Earth which colonizes other planets with ramships. The Integral Trees and its sequel can stand on their own since their main interest is the unique environment of the Smoke Ring. Although critics have found Niven's attempt to create a free-fall environment fascinating, the series does not have the scope or inventiveness of Niven's Known Space series.

The Smoke Ring continues the adventures of the remnant of the Quinn tribe in exploring the Smoke Ring.