Tree Lady Talks

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Sharon and Julian discuss the concept of biodiversity net gain and its unintended consequences, particularly in relation to the classification of veteran trees. They highlight the discrepancy between the definition of veteran trees in the National Planning Policy Framework and the definition in the Biodiversity Gain Requirements Regulations. Julian explains t...

Send us Fan Mail Christine Figgener, a world-renowned marine biologist, discusses her passion for sea turtles and the importance of their conservation. She shares her journey to Costa Rica and her first impressions of the research station. Christine explains that there are seven extant species of sea turtles, each with unique characteristics and diets. She emphasizes the role of sea turtles in mai...

Send us Fan Mail The conversation covers various topics related to urban ecology and the importance of nature in cities. It touches on personal experiences, the role of technology in enhancing urban greenery, and the challenges faced by urban foresters. The guests discuss the need for better data collection and mapping of trees, as well as the importance of community engagement and policy changes...

Send us Fan Mail Silvija discusses her forest social science study on how people engage with green spaces.   For more episodes in the Tree Lady Talks Archive click here. 

Send us Fan Mail Dallas Campbell, a science communicator and television presenter, discusses his early life, career in television, and fascination with space exploration. He reminisces about past collaborations and the creation of the TV program Britain Beneath Your Feet. Dallas emphasizes the importance of popularizing science and making it accessible to the general public. He also explores the i...

Send us Fan Mail Jim is an ecologist and arboriculturist, specialising in veteran trees and bats. Jim is the director of Bats Research & Training, where he helps professionals train for a bat licence. When he is not running the business he works for the Vincent Wildlife Trust, as a senior bat conservation officer. Jim’s current research interests include; improving how we survey trees for bats...

Send us Fan Mail This week Sharon speaks to Patrick Worms, Senior Science Policy Advisor for Centre for International Forestry research and World Agroforestry.  President, IUAF - the International Union of Agroforestry Vice-President, EURAF – the European Agroforestry Federation Trustee, Savanna Institute Senior Fellow, EGA – the Evergreening Global Alliance Steering Committee Member, ILLP - Initi...

Send us Fan Mail Lynne Boddy is Professor of Fungal Ecology at Cardiff University UK. She has taught and researched into the ecology of fungi associated with trees and wood decomposition for 45 years. Her research focuses on understanding how fungal mycelia behave in the natural world, climate change effects on fungi, antagonistic interactions between fungi, and development of fungal communities i...

Send us Fan Mail Catherine Nuttgens is the Urban Programme Lead for the Woodland Trust.  She has a project management background connecting people to nature and landscape; as well as working in arboriculture in the urban environment. Her work has had themes such as tree equity, landscape heritage, ancient woodland, heritage crafts, outdoor play and forest schools. She was also tree officer for She...

Send us Fan Mail Sharon Durdant-Hollamby , the Tree Lady, introduces the podcast which, since its beginnings in July 2020, has reached over 50 countries, and  is now in its 4th season. Subscribe here to make sure you don't miss any episodes - available wherever you get your podcasts!  For more episodes in the Tree Lady Talks Archive click here. 

Send us Fan Mail Ben is Co-Founder of Forestree , the new generation of Tree Management purpose built for Local Government. Here he talks to Sharon about all things arb in Australia.  Click here for the link to his talk at TreeNet whilst he worked for the City of Burnside - all about innovation in urban forestry.  Treenet is a National non-for-profit organisation here in Australia that does wonder...

Send us Fan Mail Join Sharon and Gabriel as they discuss a wondrous seasonal journey through Britain and Ireland’s trees in his new book , The Tree Almanac 2024. This is a Christmas Tree Special! What is better for the environment, a real or plastic tree? What is your Celtic Tree Zodiac? What terms can we bring back to use? All this, with poetry, science and the history of our Christmas decoration...

Send us Fan Mail Why is gardening so good for us? What is the science behind the benefits for the body, mind and soul? What is so good about healthy soil for our health. All this and the importance of social prescribing. Richard Claxton trained at Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals Medical School, qualifying in 1996. Initially he worked in South East London, specialising in paediatrics. He then complet...

Send us Fan Mail James Kaechele studied at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY. He has been connecting people with plants for the past ten years. As an ISA-certified arborist, Kaechele leads the NY Tree Trust, a citywide program dedicated to fostering public-private partnerships in urban forestry. Here he also talks to Sharon about managin...

Send us Fan Mail A lot of fun chatting to John about all things Arb - the state of the industry, recruitment, tree equity and the wonderful webinars! For more episodes in the Tree Lady Talks Archive click here. 

Send us Fan Mail Sharon had a very enlightening chat with Tristan Gooley about his latest book, How To Read A Tree, of which, a description from the man himself, below. In How to Read a Tree , you’ll discover the simple principles that explain the shapes and patterns you can see in trees and what they mean. And you’ll learn rare skills that can be applied every time you pass a tree, whether you ar...

Send us Fan Mail Listen to Sharon talking to Fallen & Felled founders Bruce Saunders and Patrick Welsh as they set about making beautiful items from London's fallen timber - to quote from their website:- ' We save city trees from the fire - milling them into boards and slowly seasoning them for over 12 months - to transform them into furniture-grade hardwood timber. We also source so...

Send us Fan Mail Woodland Heritage is recognised as a unique initiative, which truly unites all tree people – a vehicle for wood users (and consumers) to “put something back” and contribute to the proper management of British Trees For more episodes in the Tree Lady Talks Archive click here. 

Send us Fan Mail Amanda Lewis is a big-tree tracker and an award-winning book editor. Born in Dublin, Ireland, she now divides her time between the internet and a small island in British Columbia, Canada. Tracking Giants is her first book. Visit her at amandalewis.org.   For more episodes in the Tree Lady Talks Archive click here. 

Send us Fan Mail Simply, Ted Green MVO, MBE is a veteran Tree Legend.  For more episodes in the Tree Lady Talks Archive click here. 

Send us Fan Mail What the difference between roots from a London plane and a cherry?  Why does this matter?  Tree roots for each species are as diverse as the tree above ground. From the vibrant multi colours of Moras nigra, to the to the yellow-orange of Laburnm. Which roots really smell and what tree has felty roots? All this and more from two Arbs fascinated by tree roots. For more episodes in...

Send us Fan Mail Duncan Clark and family are early adopters of re-wilding their country estate . They are transforming and restoring the historic park land to benefit wildlife whilst being true to the heritage of the estate itself.  For more episodes in the Tree Lady Talks Archive click here. 

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Stephen talks about his role in the case of a landowner who felled 270 trees protected by a tree preservation order, resulting in a record fine, whilst he was working for Enfiled Council. See the story here For more episodes in the Tree Lady Talks Archive click here. 

Send us Fan Mail Sharon is interviewing Peter Wohlleben again with his new books: The Power of Trees and Our Little Farm (co written with his with Miriam).  The Power of Trees explores what is wrong with Forestry and how the power of trees can save us.  Our Little Farm is an inspired, practical memoir of creating a sustainable small holding amongst the trees.   CALLED “A VERITABLE TREE WHISPERER”...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Julian Forbes-Laird stresses the importance of arboriculturists knowing their fungi For more episodes in the Tree Lady Talks Archive click here.