The General Sherman Tree: First Encounters

27/10/2025 1h 8min Temporada 3 Episodio 3
The General Sherman Tree: First Encounters

Listen "The General Sherman Tree: First Encounters"

Episode Synopsis

High up in California's Sierra Nevada mountains stands the largest tree on earth by volume - the General Sherman Tree. The famous giant sequoia has captivated millions of visitors, but few know the rich tapestry of stories woven around its massive trunk.Join us as we explore the “Giant Forest” of Sequoia National Park with former park ranger and author William C. Tweed. From the indigenous Monache and Yokuts who first walked among these giants, to ambitious Euro-American explorers like John Muir, to a Black Army Captain who became the parks first true manager, discover how "first encounters" with giant sequoias become life altering events. What evolutionary secrets allow sequoias to get so big? Why do frequent fires help them to survive? And what is "sequoia time?" The General Sherman tree and its mates have changed how we view the natural world and our place within it.GuestWilliam C. TweedAuthor and Retired Chief NaturalistSequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, CAKing SequoiaChallenge of the Big Trees: The History of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (co-author with Lary M. Dilsaver)ReadersJosh Abrams (Hale Tharp)Ewen Eadie (John Muir)Jeff Taliaferro (Capt. Charles Young)MusicJustin PetersTree Visitor InterviewTom AllenEmmy RileyAlex AllenOrganizations That Support Giant SequoiasNational Park Service, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National ParksGiant Sequoias Land CoalitionSequoia Parks ConservancySave the Redwoods LeagueAncient Forest SocietyTule River Tribe of CaliforniaTheme Music"This Old Tree," Diccon Lee, www.deeleetree.comArtworkDahn Hiuni, www.dahnhiuni.com/homeWebsitethisoldtree.showTranscripts available.Follow onFacebook or Instagram This Old Tree podcast is a sponsored project of New England ISA. To support This Old Tree and New England ISA, click here. We want to hear about the favorite tree in your life! To submit a ~4 or 5 minute audio story for consideration for an upcoming episode of "Tree Story Shorts" on This Old Tree, record the story on your phone’s voice memo app and email to:[email protected] episode was written in part at LitArts RI, a community organization and co-working space that supports Rhode Island's creators. litartsri.org