My Favorite Trees

Send a text In Part 2 of my second Fruit Tree Miniseries, I cover the Pear Tree. My reaction to this tree will certainly be varied, because despite its connection to untold cultures in the Caucuses and symbolism of longevity and generosity in China, I really just can't get into liking the fruit. I think Pears are gross! But today, listen as I open myself to new experiences and try to find lov...

Send a text This episode kicks off a new three-part fruit tree miniseries! Up first is the Mango Tree, a species hailing from India that inspires love in Hinduism, rest and introspection in Buddhism, and admiration in modern China. Learn more about its unique domestication history in southeast Asia, Florida, and beyond.  Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boom...

Send a text In this episode, I sit down with Ethan Strange, the musical artist behind Academy Garden and my theme music. He recently announced that Academy Garden was finished indefinitely, so we discuss what the future holds for his creative passions as well as the research he's doing on Science Education for his PhD program. This episode features more of Ethan's music that I had yet to...

Send a text This week, I'm revisiting the Celtic Ogham Tree Calendar--but completely out of season. The Scots Pine represents the day after the Winter Solstice in Celtic Faith and symbolizes a guidepost of what is ahead. I figured this symbolism and the stories associated with this tree are also appropriate for the Spring, as days are finally longer than nights and people are starting to get...

Send a text As Florida and South Carolina celebrate their respective statehood and independence days this month, we will celebrate their shared state tree! Sometimes called the Palmetto or the Cabbage Palm, there's a lot of debate regarding whether or not this plant should be considered a tree. I'll try and clear up that confusion and look into the legendary and controversial history the...

Send a text Sandalwood is most widely known as a fragrance--whether in the form of incense, essential oils, or as soaps and sprays. How common it is today is in thanks to how important this tree has been to Hindu faith and Indian culture for thousands of years. I cover why it's called Sandal, how it shows up in Hindu legends, how it caused a population decline in Hawaii, and more. Subscribe t...

Send a text The Beech is iconic for its smooth, thin, grey bark. Carving one's initials into these trees is so recognizable a practice that it inspired the cover art for my podcast. But what are the downsides of this artform and what other significant aspects in history has it given rise to? The Beech's skin bears the scars of Nordic books, Daniel Boone, and Japanese conservation. Music...

Send a text Today I sit down with John Perlin, author of the book A Forest Journey: The Role of Trees in the Fate of Civilization . This book was originally published in 1989, but is gearing up for a new edition set to release later this month. We talk in depth on what has changed since the last publication, and (spoilers) it's a lot. Hear some history on how much our world is shaped by our d...

Send a text In the beginning of February, the Jewish world will be celebrating Tu B'Shevat, a New Years holiday for trees! I celebrate alongside them every year by covering the biology and history of the Seven Species of Israel, the plants Moses' spies brought back to him proving that they had found the fertile Promised Land. This year, I'll be talking about the Common Fig Tree--exp...

Send a text The roasted seed of the Coffee Tree helps me, and a billion other people, wake up and be productive every day. This alone gives it significance in our lives, but our relationship with this drink and the plant it comes from has left footprints throughout human history in the Common Era. Learn about where coffee came from, how it fueled modern capitalism, how it reflects our diverse cult...

Send a text To cap off 2022, we are returning to the Celtic Ogham Tree Calendar to look at the representative of the Winter Solstice: the Yew. This evergreen's toxicity has led it to carry heavy death symbolism and thus is used to mark the longest night and the end of the solar year. But its importance to humans is extensive beyond this time of year, with ancient evidence of tool use and mode...

Send a text  This week, I have my first ever guest on My Favorite Trees. Tim Ifill is the director of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Tree Tenders program. We talk about what the planning process is like for urban tree planting events, why they're important, and how you can get involved in planting trees in your neighborhood. For more information about the Tree Tenders, check ou...

Send a text  As winter begins to take hold of the land, we often look to conifers that stay green all year round for comfort. Except, there's one conifer that actually drops its needles in the fall! Learn about why the Larch breaks the mold and the importance far northern humans give this tree despite not being an evergreen. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instag...

Send a text  Elms are some of the best trees to plant in our neighborhoods, thanks to their wide, shady crowns. For this alone, they are loved by many. But their significance extends throughout American history, from setting the stage of revolution to inspiring victims of tragedy in the modern day. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Facebook and T...

Send a text  Did you know that half of all rubber on the market comes from trees? And that chewing gum used to also be made from this same natural latex? The Para Rubber Tree and the Chicle Tree bring us stories of wealth corruption, World War II embargos, and the desperation of an exiled Mexican president. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Faceb...

Send a text With Halloween less than two weeks away, we're getting in the holiday spirit with a spooky topic. Why are we so afraid of the deep dark woods? Learn about the harmful trees we should certainly fear, the reason humans separated themselves from the wilderness, and what forests are the most haunted today. Content warning for self-harm and suicide; listener discretion is advised. Musi...

Send a text Dates are among the earliest tree crops cultivated by humans and retain cultural significance throughout the Middle East and the surrounding Arabic world. Date Palm trees are especially important in Jewish faith and see prominence in multiple holidays, like the upcoming Sukkot. Hear about the  long   history of these trees, the variety of uses and symbols associated with them, as well...

Send a text The Douglas-Fir is one of the most iconic of the big trees that define the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Its wood is premier for lumber use across the western United States and its extensive human influence is surrounded by culture and story. This episode dives into those stories as well as exploring why this tree is not actually a Fir as well as the backgrounds of the Sco...

Send a text Nothing says Fall in Texas quite like a slice of pecan pie. This final nut of our miniseries is truly a staple of the American South as it does not grow anywhere else in the world! Learn about how this rich delight was almost overlooked as a crop, some controversy in its historic production, and how to actually pronounce the dang word itself. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover Art is by...

Send a text The walnut is considered by some to be the "King of Nuts." Part two of this three-part miniseries will explore why this food has historically been regarded as godly as well as some other unique features of various walnut species. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees or on Instagram @treepod...

Send a text This is the first part of a new miniseries focused on nut trees! Almonds are considered the largest nut crop in the world, but are they actually even nuts? Find out how this popular food traveled from Persia to California and learn the legends that have lead the almond to be found in our snack mixes, milks, and flours. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Insta...

Send a text  Have you ever wondered where the cork in your wine bottle comes from? Or the cork in corkboard where you hang cheesy photos from high school and college? All cork products come from a single tree species known as the Cork Oak. Learn about how and why these oaks produce this versatile material as well as how human use actually helps their ecosystem. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover Ar...

Send a text What many understand to be the age of the dinosaurs is, in the plant world, the age of the Cycad. These are weird plants that look like palms or ferns and made up most of the world's plant composition in the Jurassic Era. But some species are still around today--and in some unexpected places. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Fac...

Send a text Mangroves are incredible plants that survive the salty waters of tropical coastal areas. Learn about the fascinating ecosystems they create, the ways they help us mitigate Climate Change, and why their forests are shrinking. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast.

Send a text This is an episode where I cover a broad forestry topic. What exactly does it mean to manage a forest? I explain what being a forester and land manager is like from the perspective of various objectives like wood products and conservation. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepo...