1. In a messaging system network that includes multiple forests each with a plurality of message recipients, and no unified directory to link a particular forest with a particular recipient, a method of distributing messages within the network by automatically identifying what forest corresponds to a particular recipient, the method comprising acts of: receiving a first message at a server that controls message delivery to a plurality of forests using a message protocol, the first message including a first destination address that does not uniquely identify a particular forest from among the plurality of forests; establishing a first communication link between the message server and a first forest from among the plurality of forests; sending a first recipient inquiry to the first forest over the first communication link; receiving a first status code that indicates whether or not the first forest corresponds to a first recipient associated with the first destination address; and based upon the first status code, determining if the first message should be forwarded to the first forest for subsequent delivery to the first recipient.