Trees In Paradise, Part Two

A few species of trees have come to define what was once the nearly treeless landscape of California. Only two of these iconic species are native to California - Coastal Redwoods and Giant Sequoias. The other three - Eucalyptus, Orange and Palms - have, like most of California's residents, come from somewhere else. On this episode of Locus Focus we talk again with Jared Farmer, whose book Trees In Paradise explores the connections between the transplanted people and trees that have shaped the landscapes and cultures of California. Jared's appearance on Locus Focus was truncated by the demands of the pledge drive. This time we'll have a full 45 minutes to discuss what it means to belong or not belong, to be native, alien or invasive, and how the way we define the trees around us is a reflection of how we define ourselves and our neighbors.

Jared Farmer is a veteran hiker, part-time photographer, amateur accordionist and associate professor of history at Stonebrook University.