Shows
My Favorite TreesEp. 99-The ElderberrySend us a textFor the final topic episode of My Favorite Trees, we take one last look at the Celtic Ogham Tree Calendar. All the way at the end is a large shrub lauded for its medicinal properties--the Elderberry. In culture, this plant represents a cycle of rebirth and the new beginnings that all endings bring. Let's explore the unique aspects of this small tree and look at the journey it has been on throughout time.Please send me questions for my upcoming Q&A episode! Less than two weeks to go!...2024-04-0223 minMy Favorite TreesEp. 98-The Spruce RevisitedSend us a textFor quite some time now, I've been wanting to go back and re-record my Sitka Spruce episode and add more stories I've learned since living in Alaska. Simultaneously, you may have wondered why I've only covered one of the most loved evergreen conifer groups around the world once. To be honest, I have some issues with the Picea genus, but I suppose now is as good a time as any to air out some dirty laundry. Today, I'll give the Spruce the credit it's due and share those Sitka stories I've been holding...2024-03-1926 minMy Favorite TreesEp. 97-The Sacred Trees of KisoSend us a textI teased the idea of this episode a few months ago when I covered the Arborvitae, mentioning that the Japanese Arborvitae belonged to a group of species held sacred in a specific forest in Japan. Today, I'd like to highlight these species: two Arborvitae, two Cypresses, and an Umbrella Pine (which isn't really a Pine). We'll talk about what makes them biologically special as well as special to those who have lived in and around the Kiso Forest. This relationship teaches us much about Japan's historic relationship with the natural world and the...2024-03-0528 minMy Favorite TreesEp. 96-The MulberrySend us a textMany children around the world grow up singing the nursery rhyme, "Here we go 'round the Mulberry bush." But what is a Mulberry bush? And have you ever even seen its tasty Mulberries in grocery stores? Turns out, this tree (not bush) is better known for something other than its fruit, and that fame has deeply pervaded world cultures whether you know it or not. Listen to find out how, but I'll give you a hint! The Mulberry is closely related to Fig Trees, so it may or may not have something to...2024-02-2031 minMy Favorite TreesEp. 95-The Tupelo (ft. Doug Still)Send us a textOn this special field trip of an episode, I join arborist and host of the podcast, "This Old Tree," Doug Still on a hike through some Tupelo groves on Cape Cod. Together, we learn about the natural habitat of these trees, why they're so loved in Spring and Fall, how the folks on Martha's Vineyard came up with a unique nickname for them, and how modern humans have shaped the landscape of scenic Cape Cod.Want to hear more from Doug? Check out his podcast, This Old Tree on your podcast...2024-02-0630 minMy Favorite TreesEp. 94-The MyrtleSend us a textThe Myrtle is a small Mediterranean tree with significance tied to just about every culture of that region--due in large part to how fragrant the plant is. It enlivens Jewish holidays, protects one from curses, and is a display of love and beauty so powerful that it can start wars. Help me ring in the Jewish Tree New Year by learning how this fragrant tree can be so significant and how it shows up in our lives today.Tons of bonus content is available on my Patreon! (patreon.com/MyFavoriteTrees)2024-01-2322 minMy Favorite TreesEp. 93-Forester Spotlight: Richard St. Barbe BakerSend us a textHappy New Year, tree fans! For the first episode of 2024, I present to you another story of a historical figure that helped reshape our modern relationship with trees and forests. I'm sure you've come across a number of charitable organizations that raise money to plant trees all over the world, especially in countries within Africa and Latin America. But how did all these groups get their start? Today, we'll learn about Richard St. Barbe Baker, an Englishman who came to be known as the first global conservationist. Baker's creation of the Men of...2024-01-0925 minMy Favorite TreesEp. 92-The FirSend us a textWhile there are many holidays that coincide with the Winter season, there are few that involve traditions I love so much as the Christmas Tree. And while there are many options for what kind of evergreen conifer to bring into your home and decorate with lights and baubles, the champion of them all is the Fir. What is it about this tree that makes it so well-loved at this time of year? I'll explore this species' relationship with the holiday, dive into why Russia ties a holiday tree to New Years instead, and...2023-12-2624 minMy Favorite TreesEp. 91-The ArborvitaeSend us a textDepending on where you live, you may know this tree better as Cedar. There's the Northern White-Cedar, the Western Redcedar, and a few others. But these species, more broadly known as Arborvitae or Thuja, are in a completely different plant family than "true Cedars." Today, I'll address this name confusion and dive way deep into why these incredible and unique trees don't need to bank off of someone else's success. From sacred forests in Japan, to swamps in the Upper Midwest, to the groves of giants in the Pacific Northwest, Arborvitaes are some...2023-12-1230 minMy Favorite TreesEp. 90-The African MarulaSend us a textOn this rare trip to the African continent, we look at a keystone savanna species: the Marula. These trees reflect the movement of the great Bantu Migration, play a key role in certain fertility traditions, and allegedly get elephants drunk. The Marula will also teach us that apparently everything is a nut tree.Tons of bonus content is available on my Patreon! (patreon.com/MyFavoriteTrees)Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com)Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on InstagramScript Editing and Social Media...2023-11-2823 minMy Favorite TreesEp. 89-The Pinyon PineSend us a textOf the many Pine species in the world, only a few yield seeds that we know as Pine Nuts. That's right, we're not done with nuts quite yet. In the US, we call these nut-producing Pines Pinyons. The Pinyon Pine is found all over the American southwest and has played a vital role in the diet and culture of numerous indigenous nations in that region for thousands of years. Come explore this history and learn about how Pine Nuts are viewed around the world.Tons of Bonus Content is available on...2023-11-1425 minMy Favorite TreesEp. 88-The Macadamia TreeSend us a textFor the conclusion of this second Nut Tree Miniseries, I present you with the Macadamia Nut. An exotic snack with an absurdly hard shell that many associate with the island state of Hawaii--but one whose origins actually bring us to the rainforests of northern Australia. Learn about the aboriginal human relationship with this nut tree, how it became so strongly associated with Hawaii, and why a 21st century scandal sent its popularity skyward in South Korea.Bonus content is available on my Patreon! (patreon.com/MyFavoriteTrees)Music is by...2023-10-3130 min