Shows
Completely ArbortraryBurning Hot Fresh Root News (Scots Pine)Welcome to Season X of Completely Arbortrary, our final hoorah! To begin the end, we talk about senses of smell and the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris).Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mini-VandalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...
2026-01-081h 10Completely ArbortraryIt's The End of Completely Arbortrary (As We Know It)It's been 5 years of weekly tree podcasts, but after this final season, Casey and Alex will be moseying on to the next chapter for an extended hiatus. Buckle up for THE FINAL SEASON of Completely Arbortrary.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2026-01-0150 minCompletely ArbortraryHow Water Moves Through Trees (Oyster Bay-Pine)Turgor pressure, negative pressure, vessels and tracheids, embolisms… It’s a fact-packed Christmas Day episode of Completely Arbortrary, featuring the Oyster Bay-pine (Callitris rhomboidea). This drought tolerant tree has a surprising mechanism for keeping its water closely guarded. Merry Christmas!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The...
2025-12-251h 17Completely ArbortraryWorm! Worm! Worm! (Yellow Birch)In an episode heavy with rants and strong opinions, we discuss the yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis). Leafblowers, giant earthworms, and birches all collide in this dense episode of Completely Arbortrary. Then, we answer a question about the most satisfying falling leaves.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves...
2024-12-051h 09Completely ArbortrarySEEDPOD: Alie Ward from OLOGIESThe Fabulous, Funny, Smart, and Warm woman we all love, ALIE WARD graces the podcast today. We can hardly believe it. Alie was a very important part of the early success of Completely Arbortrary and we forever admire her! Among many other job titles, Alie is the host and creator of Ologies! Please enjoy.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our...
2024-09-191h 02Completely ArbortraryLet Your Neighbors See You Naked! (Leyland Cypress)Just another arborvitae, the Leyland cypress (Cupressus × leylandii et al) has to be one of the most deplorable species we’ve investigated on Completely Arbortrary. Learn all about this tree’s poorest qualities, then join us for a segment of Slang Game!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves...
2024-08-221h 17Completely ArbortraryChewing Gum (Sapodilla)This is Plant-Based Diet: Part Chew, a new series from Completely Arbortrary all about trees that give us food! In this episode, we discuss the sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) a tree that gives us not one, but TWO delicious treats: fruit and gum.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by...
2024-07-181h 07Completely ArbortraryWhat is Photosynthesis?Hardship strikes the house of Arbortrary, so please enjoy this bonus episode all about our favorite process in nature, photosynthesis!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mini-VandalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com...
2024-07-0441 minCompletely Arbortrary7 Deadly Stems: ENVY (Giant Bamboo)A grass so interesting it earned a spot on Completely Arbortrary, giant dragon bamboo (Dendrocalamus sinicus) is a stunningly large species with no shortage of interesting quirks. But… is it a tree, or does it look on enviously. Listen now to the exciting conclusion of Seven Deadly Stems! Then, listen for a segment of Trail Snacks, where we eat something we’ve wanted to try for years.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind...
2024-05-091h 05Completely ArbortraryTREEMIUM EPISODE: Renaming NatureThere is a shakeup in the bird world: ornithologists are renaming every bird whose common name is based on a human! So why can't we do this for trees? We can, and do, in this bonus episode unlocked from our support platform Completely Arbortrary Treemium! Become a Treemium member today and unlock a treasure trove of cool rewards at arbortrarypod.supercast.com Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary...
2024-02-2954 minCompletely ArbortraryWelcome to the Jungle (Brazil Nut)Welcome to Completely Arbortrary, you’re gonna LEARRRRN all about the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa). On this episode as diverse in “fun facts” as the jungle is in species, we talk all about the Brazil nut (seed). Stay tuned for talk all about this fascinating species and the work going into preserving it and its home. Featuring Rhett and Danielle from Wild Green Streams for Ecological Fiends.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on Instag...
2024-02-151h 12Completely ArbortrarySEEDPOD: Phyllis Reynolds, Portland Tree LegendMeet Phyllis Reynolds: original Portland Heritage Tree committee member, author of Trees of Greater Portland, and overall hardcore tree advocate. We sat down with Phyllis in the living room of her beautiful NW Portland home on the outskirts of Hoyt Arboretum, where she is a local legend and her name is spoken with mirthful reverence. To hear the full interview and see the full uncut video, support Completely Arbortrary Treemium at arbortrarypod.supercast.comTo get a copy of Phyllis's book, check your local independent bookstore.Completely Arbortrary is produced...
2024-02-0534 minCompletely ArbortrarySpirited Away (Sakaki)Welcome to Completely Arbortrary’s Treeyazaki, a month-long exploration of the trees of Studio Ghibli and films of Hayao Miyazaki! To start our journey, we visit a bathhouse for spirits in Spirited Away. This is a story about a young girl who finds herself trapped in the spirit world, and must escape with the help of a river spirit. This episode we’re talking Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan, and the importance of the Sakaki (Cleyera japonica). Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Tr...
2023-12-071h 23Completely ArbortraryThe Future of Completely ArbortrarySupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mini-VandalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2023-12-0417 minCompletely ArbortraryBONUS EPISODE - Treeyazaki Trailer, Big Announcement, & AppendicesIn this BONUS EPISODE of Completely Arbortrary, hear the first trailer for our new December theme month: TREEYAZAKI, a month-long exploration of the trees of Studio Ghibli and the films of Hayao Miyazaki. Also, stick around for a big announcement about the way you support Completely Arbortrary. Then, listen to some cutting room floor audio from three mainline episodes!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary m...
2023-11-3044 minCompletely ArbortraryPoppin' Bottles (Cork Oak)We’re poppin’ bottles on this very corky episode of Completely Arbortrary. Learn all about the cork oak (Quercus suber) and the dehesas of Spain and Portugal. These agrosilvopastoral lands are a marvel of sustainability and industry, and a beautiful template for letting nature lead the way. Also, stick around for some exciting BOOK NEWS from Casey!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our s...
2023-11-021h 08Completely ArbortraryWood Talk (Northern Red Oak)In this woody episode of Completely Arbortrary, we discuss the jewel of the east, the Northern red oak (Quercus rubra). Wood facts, wood terminology, bad wood jokes—this is the episode that wood built!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by...
2023-06-011h 11Completely ArbortraryGreat Malus (Apple 2)In our final installment of Completely Arbortrary’s Excellent Adventure, we take it all the way back to the year 0, Kazakhstan, where we discuss the wolf to our apple’s dog, the Wolf apple (Malus sieversii). Today, we know apple as a supermarket produce section monopolizers, but these are simply the domesticated version of the wild animal that is sieversii, a Kazakhstani native from a different time.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollo...
2023-05-251h 26Completely ArbortraryEpisode II: Attack of the Cones (Douglas-fir 2)It’s Completely Arbortrary’s Excellent Adventure! To begin this journey through tree-time and tree-space, we revisit the crown of the Pacific Northwest and the very first tree we covered on this podcast, the Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). A long-lived tree with indigenous significance, modern lumber hypersignificance, and a huge native range, the Douglas-fir has few downsides. Learn new facts about this arboreal everyman and its family on this bodacious episode of Completely Arbortrary’s Excellent Adventure!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the po...
2023-05-041h 26Completely ArbortraryBONUS EPISODE - How Do Trees Die?CW: DeathStraight from the Patreon (patreon.com/arbortrarypod) we give you this HUGE two-parter-turned-one-parter episode on how trees die. What does it mean to "die"? And how is human death different than tree death? Hear all about the process and the philosophy behind tree death in this unlocked bonus episode! We'll be back next with an excellent new series of Completely Arbortrary.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium Member
2023-04-271h 51Completely ArbortraryBotreemian Sapsody (Kentucky Coffeetree)Oh, Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus), how we love you (please love us back). A tree living out of its time that makes every effort to thwart attention and interaction, the Kentucky coffeetree may be the most curmudgeonly tree ever discussed on Completely Arbortrary. Learn about indigenous dice games, ecological anachronism, poisonous parts and scarification—this truly is a tree that hurts to know and must be hurt to grow.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium Member
2023-04-2059 minCompletely ArbortraryQueen of the Canoe Crops (Noni)1000 years ago, Polynesians reached the islands of Hawaii. On their seaworthy canoes were only a handful of plant species, but among them was the divisively flavorful botanical wonderdrug known as noni (Morinda citrifolia). Known for its funky flavors and breadth of influence on traditional Hawaiian medicine, this pan-tropical tree knows how to grow just about anywhere a canoe can bring it. Learn all about noni and the much broader classification of 'fruit', this week on Completely Arbortrary.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson...
2023-03-161h 15
Completely ArbortraryKeystone Species (Whitebark Pine)The grand finale in our symbiosis 4 Act play. In this special episode of Completely Arbortrary, we discuss the much beloved Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis). We’re joined by Peri Sasnett from the Glacier National Park Headwaters podcast to discuss where these trees are and where they’re headed. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websi...
2022-08-251h 04
Completely ArbortraryWrongfully Scorned, Rightfully Wronged (Black Cottonwood)This week we have our work cut out for us. The black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) is our tree of topic, and there's no getting around it: it's an emotional roller coaster that pulls us in every direction at once. Listen in and make your own opinions on this complicated tree, and stick around for the second round of the Tournament of Champion Trees, with Tobin Mitnik as our guest. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium Member
2022-06-231h 24Completely ArbortraryDagger of the Desert (Joshua Tree)Join us this week where the trees have no name. But this one does! It’s Joshua! Learn all about yuccas on our last of three monocotic adventures.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mini-VandalsS...
2022-06-161h 08Completely ArbortraryThere Be Monocots (Socotra Dragon Blood Tree)Our quest to further define "tree" continues with the STUNNING Socotra Dragon Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari). We talk all about this unique, altruistic "tree" and all the curious strategies it takes to get where it's going. Then we answer a question about tree albinoism!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our website
2022-06-091h 08Completely Arbortrary"Tree" (Chinese Windmill Palm)What exactly isn't a tree? This week we cover the other side of the controversy coin with a discussion on the Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei). We get into the thick of it and find out just what a palm is if it's not a "tree".Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our website
2022-06-021h 18Completely ArbortraryTrees Are The Champions, My Friends (Tuliptree)One of the biggest trees around, the tuliptree is an ancient species and a champion of the people. Learn all about the arbitrary intricacies of measuring Champion Trees and select who you think will make it to the end!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by J...
2022-05-261h 12Completely ArbortraryDrupe Fruit Riot (Peach)The fruit that went ‘round the world, and the fruit that we both like the best, this week we are covering the peach tree (Prunus persica). However, we go one step further and Casey tries to convince Alex that it's not just the peach, but everything like a peach that reigns supreme in a world full of fruit! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on...
2022-05-191h 09Completely ArbortraryPlease Send Us Pawpaws! (Pawpaw)A fruit tree that has been in all the right places with all the right stuff, the pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a folk hero among fruits. But that's not all to the story. This week we chat about the pawpaw and it's slow, methodical march to success from the tropics to Canada.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind a...
2022-05-121h 14Completely ArbortraryTake a Twenty, Leave a Penny (Dogwood)What is a penny worth? This is the philosophical question we grapple with today as we debate the merits of the dogwood (Cornus spp.). This episode is a little different than our normal shows because we're covering three different dogwoods all at once, but we assure you that's not where the controversy ends.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeF...
2022-05-051h 09Completely ArbortraryThe Mothrix (White Mulberry)A cosmopolitan tree that has humble roots, the white mulberry (Morus alba) has been transported across the world to support our insatiable appetite for silk. This week we discuss this relationship and how it's brought both the worms and the trees to every corner of the globe.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our website
2022-04-281h 02Completely ArbortraryA Tragic Beauty (Southern Live Oak)This week we chat about the famous southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) of the southeastern United States. A tree that has had many different identities, we discuss how this tree was the base of naval power during the height of colonialism and beyond, and how it's both gorgeous yet also fraught with imagery of a sordid past.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on o...
2022-04-211h 05Completely ArbortraryBONUS EPISODE - Arbortrary Shorts (feat. Lizzie Falconer & Jen Thomas from Shorts.)On this BONUS EPISODE, we sit down with Lizzie Falconer and Jen Thomas from the podcast Shorts. to discuss the Ursula K. Le Guin short story Direction of the Road. Find Lizzie and Jen's podcast at shortsthepodcast.com or any your podcast platform of choice!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our website
2022-04-141h 15Completely ArbortraryThe Lord of the Tree Rings, Part Three: Specimen Tree of Gondor (Stewartia)The Lord of the Tree Rings comes to a flashy finish with the Japanese stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia). This week we chat about all things specimen trees! Then we round off the saga with some tree lore from Alex.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian B...
2022-04-071h 18Completely ArbortraryThe Lord of the Tree Rings, Part Two: Białowieża (Norway Spruce)This week we march on through Middle-earth, our path leading us to the Norway spruce (Picea abies) and into the Fangorn Forest, found on Vanilla-earth as the Białowieża Forest (bee-ah-wo-vee-EDGE-ah). Join us as we ruminate about forest management and what it means to preserve a forest. Then we play a family favorite game!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our store...
2022-03-311h 27Completely ArbortraryThe Lord of the Tree Rings, Part One: Concerning Tree Care (Pedunculate Oak)The world is changed... In our first installment of The Lord of the Tree Rings trilogy, we discuss the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) and take a deep dive into how we take care of trees as they enter their geriatric years, and the differences between American and European tree care. Then Alex has Casey solve a series of riddles... The Fellowship assembles.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on Instagram
2022-03-241h 19Completely ArbortraryYou Can Grow Your Own Way (Southern Catalpa)Do trees even exist, man? This week we finish our second part on the "idea" of taxonomy and we dive into this question using the beautiful, rugged, southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) as our guide. Come with us on this most pendantic of journeys.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our website
2022-03-171h 08Completely ArbortraryUmwelt (Italian Cypress)How do you see the world? How do you organize the world, all the plants and animals around you? This week we have a discussion about taxonomy that revolves around the gorgeous Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), and it opens a door to an entirely new way to see the world.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading...
2022-03-101h 07Completely ArbortraryIt's Complicated (Paper Birch)Does competition or cooperation get you further in life? That's the question we tackle this week while we discuss the paper birch (Betula papyrifera). We end this episode with a game that we all love, and get some ideas on how to love the trees in your neighborhood.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our...
2022-03-031h 24Completely ArbortraryAmazing Technicolor Dreamtree (Rocky Mountain Juniper)The Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), like nearly all junipers, is a conifer that took a different strategy to get its seeds dispersed. This week we chat about convergent evolution, and how nature can find the same solutions to problems in very different ways.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our website
2022-02-241h 09Completely ArbortraryThe Other Biggest Tree (Coast Redwood)What can't this tree do? The coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) rounds off our two-part series on the oft-confused redwoods of California. This week we celebrate this tree and all that it is, then Alex finds himself in Jeopardy.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian...
2022-02-171h 16Completely ArbortraryThe Biggest Tree (Giant Sequoia)What does it take to be a perfect tree? We'll come to figuring it out this week as we dive into a flowing conversation about the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum). Stick around for a discussion that explores everything about these trees, and then looks into where the term tree even comes from.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind...
2022-02-101h 13Completely ArbortraryShagadelic, Baby! (Shagbark Hickory)The hickories (Carya) are a part of an ancient forest system that once existed across the entire northern hemisphere, from North America to Europe, across Asia to the Pacific and back again to the North America. This week, we chat about the shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) and discuss how it and it's closest relatives have been so successful, yet ended up so far from kin across the world. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium Member
2022-02-031h 09Completely ArbortraryGraveyardery (English Yew)The English yew (Taxus baccata) is one of our most storied, mythological, and metaphorical trees to date. Death, disease, toxicity, warfare... it has it all! Listen along as we discuss this poisonous protector of the dead. All hail Hecate!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by...
2022-01-271h 03Completely ArbortraryMastodon! (Osage Orange)What do you do when the way of life that you evolved over millions of years was rendered useless in the blink of an eye? Something very similar to that happened to the Osage-orange (Maclura pomifera) at the end of the Pleistocene epoch, and it wasn't alone.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our website
2022-01-201h 11Completely ArbortraryElven Beauty (European Beech)Has the European beech (Fagus sylvatica) been man's best friend since time-immemorial, or has it just been doing it best to impress the whole time? This week we discuss the complex history of the European beech, but the jury is still out if it's a natural history or unnatural.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on...
2022-01-131h 16Completely ArbortraryTrees Become Alligators (Japanese Black Pine)The King of Bonsai, this week we're welcoming the new Unseason of Completely Arbortrary with a discussion of the Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii). This tree has been cultivated for thousands of years as bonsai trees, and this week we chat about what Casey and Alex think of these trees and the art form they helped create.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on...
2022-01-061h 20Completely ArbortraryBONUS EPISODE - We Three Drinks (Coffee, Hops, & Grapes)Enjoy this BONUS EPISODE from our Patreon as a palette cleanser to this season of food trees, in which we discuss three drinks from non-tree plants; coffee, hops, and grapes.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The...
2021-12-301h 17Completely ArbortraryFood of the Gods (Cacao)In our annual finally, we talk about the amazing cacao tree (Theobroma cacao). We discuss the sordid history of this funny little fruit, and we end the season with a deep dive into the real costs of our eating culture. As a palette cleanser, we play a new game! Then we discuss the future of Completely Arbortrary...Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on...
2021-12-231h 25Completely ArbortraryLuxuriance of Funguous Flesh (Meyer Lemon)The Meyer lemon (Citrus x meyeri), named after the tiger-fighting plant explorer Frank Meyer is this week's subject, but they go way further back than that. This sour fruit tree was traded to all corners of the world and cultivated for thousands of years before, and even to this day it can be a life saver... Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our...
2021-12-161h 12Completely ArbortraryOG: Original Goop (Sassafras)A tree that has been known to solve everything from rheumatism to syphilis, the sassafras tree (Sassafras albidum) is a quintessential part of the history of the United States. The classic ingredient of root beer, this tree has a lot to offer, but may not be quite as pure as they thought...Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind...
2021-12-091h 00Completely ArbortraryThe Colossus (Olive)The olive (Olea europaea). What more needs to be said about this historic tree? This week, we dive into how it is grown, where, and how orchards have developed and changed throughout history. The wonderful history of the olive, its groves, and its future are the topic this week.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on...
2021-12-021h 05Completely ArbortraryTo Tree or Not to Tree (Filbert)The nut that actually is a nut, this week we chat about the filbert (Corylus avellana) and discuss the philosophical distinction between what exactly is a shrub versus a tree? We ask the question can we even include this in a podcast about trees? Or do we need to reconsider the very nature of that alleged category.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on...
2021-11-251h 08Completely ArbortraryThe Fruit of Life and Death (Pomegranate)The pomegranate (Punica granatum), a tree of mythical history, is our subject this week. We dive to the depths of Hades back again, exploring the outsized role this squat tree has had in the myths and histories of nearly every religion and culture of the Mediterranean, Middle East and southern Asia. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional...
2021-11-181h 10Completely ArbortraryPinus Delicious (Pinyon Pine)This week we chat about the Colorado pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) and its multitude of uses and fascinations. A group of pines, the pinyons, are an interesting evolutionary clade that tend to interbreed where their populations overlap. The seeds of the pinyon, though, are what has led to them being of utmost important to our culinary pantheons.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on...
2021-11-111h 05Completely ArbortraryMonopoly: Dutch Edition (Nutmeg)The center of conflict and conquest, the Helen of Troy of Trees, the nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) tree has caused international incidents and revolutionized the flavors of cuisines world wide. We talk all about how this tree and the Spice Islands it grows on impacted the world. Then we get a delectable recipe and description of nutmeg that will simply make your mouth water.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on Instagram
2021-11-041h 04Completely ArbortraryThe Saddest Nut (Almond)A historic tree that still shapes our world today, the almond (Prunus amygdalus) is curious member of our culinary pantheon. Once so inedible that it would kill you, now it's one of the most popular and widely grown trees in the world. But with that popularity comes a cost...Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on...
2021-10-281h 08Completely ArbortraryGoodfungus (Holm Oak)An oak that has got it all figured out, the holm oak (Quercus ilex) has made a friend that is worth having. This week we talk about the holm oak and its most famous fungal associate, the Périgord truffle mushroom. Then, we flip the script and Casey gives Alex a chance to play a brand new game... Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch o...
2021-10-211h 06Completely ArbortraryWicked Itchy Rashes (Mango)Mango, one of the world's most beloved fruits is the subject this week. A tropical wondertree, we chat about where the mango is from and its numerous benefits. However, this tree and its family have a dark side that has Casey and Alex keeping their distance... Then, we hear from Daphne K. Jenkins, maker of mochi!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our...
2021-10-141h 05Completely ArbortraryChris P. Ness (Apple)From folk lore to your lunchbox, the apple (Malus domestica) has played a role in our society for thousands of years. In our Season 4 premiere, we chat about the American chapter of that story and we hear just how Casey feels about this ubiquitous fruit tree. Then, it’s another edition of Family Tree! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our store...
2021-10-071h 04Completely ArbortraryBONUS EPISODE - Completely Arbortrary: Plant-Based Diet - Season 4 Trailer & "Fungal Associates"Hi, we're Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson. You're invited to take a seat at the table for Completely Arbortrary Season 4: Plant-Based Diet! That's right, this season we're baking, sautéing, and grilling our way through a cornucopia of trees that feed. We're talking lemon tree, almond tree, and even the dreaded apple. And we're teaming up with chefs from all around to showcase the best ingredients our arboreal friends have to offer, and we're sharing the recipes with you! Can you smell what the trees are cooking? Season premiere on October 7th. Included in this episode is a FREE P...
2021-09-301h 04Completely ArbortraryF.L.C.T. (Green Ash)This week we are closing out our Winter ‘21 Collection with the green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Though an immensely popular ornamental and street tree, this tree is a huge component of our forest ecosystems, and the invasion of an insect killing them off has had interesting waves throughout the forest. We talk ecosystem ramifying this week and discuss how little, seemingly innocuous, unconnected events can ripple through the forest ecosystem.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium Member...
2021-09-231h 11Completely ArbortraryWilsonville Bee Kill (Littleleaf Linden)This week we review the littleleaf linden (Tilia cordata), a European forest dweller with a heart of gold. We discuss how its generosity is a double-edged sword, and how the delicate web of its ecosystem was abused by humans at the cost of 50,000 precious lives.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our website
2021-09-1655 minCompletely ArbortraryThe Widowmaker (Coulter Pine)The tree that’ll kill you back, the Coulter pine (Pinus coulteri) is our topic this week, and we bring in special guest Tobin Mitnik, a Jew who loves trees, to get his hot take on this giant coned conifer.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by...
2021-09-091h 08Completely ArbortraryOld, But Still Lit (Bristlecone Pine)A god of a tree, blessed with near immortality, this week we discuss the bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva), who from its high mountain home has diligently recorded a ring every year for millennia. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by...
2021-09-0259 minCompletely ArbortraryThe Return of the King (American Chestnut)A true tale of love and loss, the American chestnut (Castanea dentata) is this week’s subject and we discuss its renown, majesty, and stature, and ultimately its untimely demise.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mi...
2021-08-261h 01Completely ArbortraryThe Milkshake Analogy (Western Red Cedar)The western redcedar and all its glory today, along with our first interview (!) with Sam Stewart, a guitar craftsman and musician who tells us all ‘bout how wood is used in guitars.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves an...
2021-08-191h 08Completely ArbortraryNurse! (Western Hemlock)When a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? We don’t know! But it sure does make a lovely habitat for a plethora of little creatures and plants. Today we examine nurse logs from the persective of one of the best, the Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), a species that excels at the practice. Then we weigh the odds with The Cone Scale.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod an...
2021-08-121h 05Completely ArbortraryTree of Hell (Tree of Heaven)INVASION! In this episode we discuss the morality of tree invasiveness, and find ourselves debating the question: who’s invading whom?Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mini-VandalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.co...
2021-08-051h 07Completely ArbortraryUlmus De Niro (American Elm)An American legend whose time was cut too short, this week we discuss the American elm and its momentous rise and historic fall in the mean city streets across North America. But, we learn an important lesson that feels all too true across the board. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our website
2021-07-291h 05Completely ArbortraryUnder(dog)story (Japanese Maple)A tree that didn’t ask for the praise, but certainly earns it, this week it’s the Japanese maple and we chat about the undergods of the forest, the understory trees. Then we check in with the Fungal Associated Press.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art...
2021-07-221h 04Completely ArbortraryiSpread (Quaking Aspen)What is it to be a tree? What is a trees? What are a tree? The quaking aspen has it all figured out, and they (it?) have (has?) been doing it since the ice age. We talk Pando, (re)production, and bay is bae! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our website
2021-07-151h 07Completely ArbortraryC-Men (Bradford Pear)Is it the perfect tree, as close to ideal as possible, or is it a scourge upon the exotic soils to which it was brought? This week we talk the infamous Bradford pear and boy does this episode stink.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by...
2021-07-081h 05Completely ArbortraryBONUS EPISODE - Completely Arbortrary: Classic - Season 3 Trailer & "What is a Tree?"Season 3! Completely Arbortrary: Classic This season we're returning to format and covering some long-requested trees, and some house-favorites as well!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mini-VandalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com...
2021-07-011h 12Completely ArbortraryMangroves on Mangroves on Mangroves (Red Mangrove)Perhaps the most cosmopolitan aquatic tree out there, this week we conclude our world tour with a trip to the waters of the tropics (any of them!) and dive into just what makes mangroves such nifty trees. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian Barthold
2021-06-241h 02Completely ArbortraryInsect That's Sensitive to Scents (Mountain Ash Eucalyptus)G’day and welcome to the penultimate installation of our Spring ‘21 collection wherein we of course are covering the famous Australian giant, the mountain-ash eucalyptus. The tallest growing angiosperm in the world, and a tree that can fight off nearly everything, this week we discuss the fabulous way eucalyptus trees use chemical defenses to ward off unwanted nibblers...and how some of those nibblers have used that to their advantage.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium Memb...
2021-06-171h 00Completely ArbortraryKnotty Yacht (European Larch)This week we're discussing the gorgeous and unique European larch (Larix decidua), and we discuss its proclivity for tapping into a wide-reaching fungal network, and fungal networks at large! Then we return... to the Cone Zone.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian Barthold
2021-06-101h 04Completely ArbortraryYou Say Tomato, I Say (Jacaranda)A cosmopolitan tree to say the least, this week we discuss the gorgeous jacaranda tree from south central South America. Dappled shade, incomparable violet blooms, and an attitude to match, we take another look at how urban trees affect us and why it may be a good idea to plant a lot more. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeF...
2021-06-031h 01Completely ArbortraryLothlórien (Kauri)When a tree is clearly a god, we don’t question it. This week we head to the northern tip of the North Island of New Zealand and revel in the divinity of the kauris, the towering forest giants who are only outmatched in size by the sequoias and redwoods half a world away. Then we take another kid listener question. Alex is tired! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on In...
2021-05-2749 minCompletely ArbortraryThe Drunken Forests (Black Spruce)Permafrost! Phototropism! Thigmomorphogenesis! Big terms with big ideas abound in this boreal episode of Completely Arbortrary, as we trek through the frozen woods of Canada to find the battered and bendy black spruce. We even premiere a brand new segment featuring you, our Fungal Associates. Let’s get tipsy!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on ou...
2021-05-201h 00Completely ArbortraryStrangler Than Figtion (Banyan)Q: A killer, a nursemaid, and a fruit peddler walk into a bar. The barkeep says, “Table for one?” How is this possible? A: The Banyan tree. This week, we have a BIG episode talking about India’s own Banyan tree, and all the hats it wears.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our website
2021-05-131h 03Completely ArbortraryGod's Wood (Cedar of Lebanon)The tree that helped forge the civilizations of the Mediterranian, and maybe built the mythical Ark, this week we head to the Mountains of Turkey and Lebanon to discuss the Cedar of Lebanon. Join us to hear about this true cedar and its outsized impact on our world.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our...
2021-05-061h 11Completely ArbortraryGiravves (Umbrella Thorn)Do giraffes make trees taller, or the trees make giraffes’ necks longer? This week, we cover the iconic umbrella thorn tree (Vachellia tortilis) of the African savannahs and talk about how evolution may or may not work.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian Barthold...
2021-04-291h 24Completely ArbortraryFaerie Talk (Common Hawthorn)A portal to other worlds, the home of faeries, or the flower that sparks a little twinkle in your eye, the common hawthorn is a tree that is as understated as it is revered. This spring bloomer is planted all over the world as a street tree, and grows commonly in the forests and hedgerows of Europe and the UK. Ushering in the season of productivity and all the fun of warming weather, this is surely a tree that has earned its reputations and representations, for good or evil. Completely Arbortrary is produced and...
2021-04-221h 24Completely ArbortraryPainting With Nature (Japanese Cherry)Kon'nichiwa! This week we jet over to Japan to discuss a gorgeous, renowned, and cultivated-like-heck tree, the Japanese cherry (Prunus serrulata). Dive deep into cultivar(ism) with us while we talk about Shinto, picnics, and painting with nature. As always, we finish the whole shebang with a listener question. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on...
2021-04-151h 12Completely ArbortraryPehuén (Monkey Puzzle)The first episode of the Spring 2021 Collection: a Global Traverse. This week we travel to the southern hemisphere to dive into what makes the monkey puzzle tree so dang interesting. From ancient roots to endemic speciation, we chat about this relic from another time. Then we play a new game. Welcome back!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind...
2021-04-081h 16Completely ArbortraryCompletely Arbortrary: World Tour!It's season 2 of Completely Arbortrary! They (Alex) said we couldn't make it! This season we're globetrotting to talk about a smattering of international trees.Support the pod and become a Treemium MemberSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2021-04-0100 minCompletely ArbortraryThe Perfect Flower (Southern Magnolia)It’s the end of our first season and, to celebrate, we’re talking about a blooming beauty with a perfect flower, the Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora). Mr. Bean beetles, ancient sex organs, and one intelligent flower that knows how to get it done. Then we play a fun game about ancient Greek gods and answer a listener question. See you next season! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram
2021-03-251h 24Completely ArbortraryYee-Haw! (Ponderosa Pine)This week we head out west and marvel at the orange-clad giants of the pine world, the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). We dive into one of the most interesting weather phenomena in the world, the rain shadow effect, and chat about how seemingly unrelated patterns of geology and weather change who grows where. Then, you guessed it, we ruminate on the nature of sasquatch.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on...
2021-03-1849 minCompletely ArbortraryLiquid Sunshine (Sugar Maple)Welcome to Vermont, sugar! This week we're charging headlong into the snowy forests of the Northeast United States to tap one of the sweetest trees in the game, the Sugar Maple! Sap, syrup and sugar... this one goes out to the sweet tooths.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our website
2021-03-111h 07Completely ArbortraryNew Roots, New Shoots (Black Willow)The tree that does it all. This week we dive into what makes the black willow (Salix nigra), and willows more broadly, such revered trees. From curing your dysentery or soothing an aching tooth to restoring wetlands and always putting out new roots and new shoots, this tree has something for everyone. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind...
2021-03-041h 02Completely ArbortraryDeath by 1,000 Beetles (Lodgepole Pine)This week we're talking about the tragic tale of the Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). Human greed, voracious beetles, and graveyard forests... it's our most depressing episode yet!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mini-Vandals...
2021-02-2549 minCompletely ArbortraryStreet Tree Manifesto (European Hornbeam)This week we're taking it to the streets to discuss the European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). Casey waxes poetic about his great interest and love for urban forests, which includes explaining to Alex what an urban forest actually is. Then we answer a question from a listener about trees and climate change.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional...
2021-02-1847 minCompletely Arbortrarymet-a-se-KOY-a glyp-to-stro-BOY-des (Dawn Redwood)A sleeping giant awakens! Enter dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides). The deciduous conifer (gasp!) dominated the Northern hemisphere for thousands of millenia before Mother Nature spirited it away entirely… or so we thought. Then, we take a journey through time and space as we journey The Cone Zone.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our website...
2021-02-1157 minCompletely ArbortraryThe Tree Before Time (Ginkgo)What smells like barf, lived with dinosaurs, and makes for a great tattoo? This tree! Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is a living fossil; a tree so old it lived among prehistoric monsters, and so long-lived that it lives among modern humans. A true survivor, this tree spent thousands of millenia hermitting in its little corner of China. But today we've all got Ginkgo fever, and this ancient species is now planted worldwide and beloved by many. It's a vomit-scented episode that'll really stick with you.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and...
2021-02-0442 minCompletely ArbortraryJupiter's Nut! (Black Walnut)Villainous arboreal poisoner, or misunderstood forest benefactor? Despite its bipinnately gorgeous appearance and emotional significance to the general public, the black walnut (Juglans nigra) has spent decades under the critical gaze of tree lovers for its allegedly allelopathic behavior. But when new studies come to light, this cold case turns red hot! Misophonia warning: candied nuts will be munched. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary...
2021-01-2844 minCompletely ArbortraryTerrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Tree (Arborvitae)Gather 'round to hear the unfortunate tale of the arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), a tree that's truly less than the sum of its parts. A mass-produced hedge tree in the Cypress family that's exploited on west coast surbuban streets, this tree has plenty of faults and makes for good gossip. But can a tree be inherently bad, or is a tree made bad by the people who plant it? Then stick around for our first ever game, Binomial Bonanza! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson
2021-01-2140 minCompletely ArbortrarySquirrel Talk (Oregon White Oak)SQUIRRELS! Today we burrow head first into a discussion of the Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana), another house favorite tree named by David Douglas, and our first broadleaf species. Most years these mighty acorn-makers supply local squirrel populations with plenty of food for winter. But what happens when an oak takes the year off, and how does that affect the squirrel world (or, Squirrorld ™)? Are squirrels organizational geniuses... or do they simply think like squirrels? How many times can you say the word "squirrel" until it starts to sound like gibberish? All these answers and more, on this episode of...
2021-01-1436 minCompletely ArbortraryEpisode I: The Phantom Fir (Douglas-fir)What's up, Fungal Associates! Welcome to Completely Arbortrary, the podcast about trees and other related topics. In our inaugural episode, we discuss the crown jewel of the Great Pacific Northwest, the Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Named after botanist David Douglas, this false fir is a house favorite and a perfect choice for Christmas trees. While we're at it, what is a fungal associate? We start our PR campaign for these fungal friends in this, our first episode of Completely Arbortrary.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson
2021-01-0735 min