Let's face it. America loves giant sequoia trees. Native Americans believe they hold spiritual value, early settlers tried to exploit the trees and today the trees adorn the National Park Service's badge.
In a new book called "King Sequoia: The Tree That Inspired a Nation, Created Our National Park System, and Changed the Way We Think about Nature" author William C. Tweed weaves together a narrative of human contact with the big trees. He outlines who tried to exploit them and eventually what it took to protect them.
The book features a whole cast of characters -- adventure junkies, politicians, environmentalists and researchers -- and details how a single tree species altered how Americans connect to the natural world. The book can be purchased through it's publisher Hey Day or on Amazon.
Tweedjoined KVPR Reporter Ezra David Romero for an interview about his book and what the big trees mean to people around the globe. Listen to that interview by clicking play above.