Strong. Quiet. Resilient. In this episode we dig into the story of South Dakota’s state tree—the Black Hills Spruce. Native to the rocky slopes of western South Dakota and adopted as the official state tree in 1947, this evergreen is more than just a tree—it’s a symbol of the strength it takes to grow deep roots in tough places.
Join Chad Theisen as he explores how this spruce became a part of both Lakota tradition and pioneer survival, and how it’s still showing up in Sioux Falls parks, farm windbreaks, and family memories. From the forests of the Hills to the walking trails of McKennan Park, this episode invites you to see what it means to stand tall, even when the winds blow hard.
Whether you’re a longtime local or just starting to put down roots in South Dakota, you’ll find something inspiring in the story of the tree that quietly defines our state.
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