My Favorite Trees

Thomas Spadea

A podcast that introduces you to tree species that have helped shaped human culture around the world. Hear the stories that we share with our tall, leafy neighbors.

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20 episodes
Updated Apr 30, 2024

Episodes20

Newest first

Apr 30, 2024 · 26 min
Ep. 100-The Rest of My Favorite Trees
Send a text In the final episode of this podcast, I take you through a medley of trees I wanted to make sure got some airtime before the very end. Some of these are topics that I at some point or another scheduled to have an episode, while others are requests from listeners. Enjoy this last installation, and continue to seek out the stories that connect us with our natural world. Thank you all for joining me on this journey through the woods over the last few years. Thank you to Earth Apples, The Tea Lady, George B, and Ritchie for sending in tree requests. Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lauriehilburn.com)
Apr 16, 2024 · 28 min
Q&A 2
Send a text Before the podcast reaches its conclusion, I wanted to make sure listeners had a chance to be involved with what I end up talking about. Today, I answer questions from patrons, email, and social media about a variety of topics. Come hear about my creative process, my favorite extinct trees, what I've got next in store, and so much more. Huge thanks to Earth Apples, Laurie H, Tristan W, Eileen G, Nicholas, and CJ for submitting such awesome questions. Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lauriehilburn.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Apr 2, 2024 · 23 min
Ep. 99-The Elderberry
Send a text For 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! Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Mar 19, 2024 · 26 min
Ep. 98-The Spruce Revisited
Send a text For 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 back. But rest assured, you'll find out how I really feel about these wintry northern giants. Please send me questions to answer for my upcoming Q&A! Email me at treeguythomas@gmail.com or check out my socials below. Check out some Tonkori sketches I mentioned in this episode (https://soundcloud.com/masahiro-bessho/sets/tonkori-sound-sketch) Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Mar 5, 2024 · 28 min
Ep. 97-The Sacred Trees of Kiso
Send a text I 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 human-forest connection in general. 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 Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast Send me an email with questions and suggestions at treeguythomas@gmail.com
Feb 20, 2024 · 31 min
Ep. 96-The Mulberry
Send a text Many 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 do with a particular insect. 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 Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Feb 6, 2024 · 30 min
Ep. 95-The Tupelo (ft. Doug Still)
Send a text On 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 app of choice or at thisoldtree.show Follow him on social media @thisoldtreepod Behind the scenes footage of my trip to the Cape with Doug are available on Patreon, along with tons of other bonus content! (patreon.com/MyFavoriteTrees) Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Jan 23, 2024 · 22 min
Ep. 94-The Myrtle
Send a text The 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) Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Jan 9, 2024 · 25 min
Ep. 93-Forester Spotlight: Richard St. Barbe Baker
Send a text Happy 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 the Trees group in Kenya over a hundred years ago has grown to be something with monumental ambitions and inspired many others to campaign for altruistic goals in the world of forest restoration. 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 Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Dec 26, 2023 · 24 min
Ep. 92-The Fir
Send a text While 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 provide some truly cursed Fir facts that'll make you forget that this is a Christmas special. I warned you. 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 Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Dec 12, 2023 · 30 min
Ep. 91-The Arborvitae
Send a text Depending 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 of the most deserving individuals of the title "Tree of Life." 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 Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Nov 28, 2023 · 23 min
Ep. 90-The African Marula
Send a text On 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 Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Nov 14, 2023 · 25 min
Ep. 89-The Pinyon Pine
Send a text Of 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 my Patreon! (patreon.com/MyFavoriteTrees) Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Oct 31, 2023 · 30 min
Ep. 88-The Macadamia Tree
Send a text For 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 Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Oct 17, 2023 · 25 min
Ep. 87-The Pistachio Tree
Send a text The Pistachio is considered the most successful plant introduction to the United States in the 20th century. Up until then, they were a staple part of a diet that didn't stray far from western Asia and the Mediterranean. Though they've been a part of human life for thousands of years, their presence in the global market is just a few decades old. And even if you're at all familiar with how the western world perceives Iran, you may be surprised as to how much of an impact those relationships have affected this little green nut. Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Oct 3, 2023 · 25 min
Ep.86-The Cashew Tree
Send a text Welcome to the start of my second Nut Trees miniseries! Last year, I covered in sequence the trees that give us Almonds, Walnuts, and Pecans--but I've returned to the snack bowl to dig into the history of Cashews, Pistachios, and Macadamia Nuts. I simply had to start with Cashews since they are my favorite nut, so come learn about a South American tree that took on a South Asian identity. These trees probably have the weirdest fruits that I've covered yet, excluding Figs obviously, and there is inevitably some weird stuff that humans have done with them. Bonus content is available on my Patreon! (patreon.com/MyFavoriteTrees) Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Sep 19, 2023 · 21 min
Ep. 85-The Pawpaw
Send a text The Pawpaw tree is a mysterious one, somehow being both my most requested topic and one many are likely to not have heard of. This tree species produces the largest native tree fruit in North America, but despite growing among temperate Oaks and Hickories, it has qualities seen only in otherwise tropical plants. Explore the Pawpaw with me, from its earliest impacts on human history to how it could find its way back into the spotlight today. Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Sep 5, 2023 · 31 min
Ep. 84-Forester Spotlight: Gifford Pinchot
Send a text This is the first of a new episode type I'll be sprinkling into the mix, where I dive into the life of notable individuals who helped shape the profession of forestry and revolutionize our relationship with forests. To kick things off, I'm shining a light on Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief Forester of the US Forest Service. We'll get into what motivated him to introduce the idea of resource conservation in America and how he came to expand the role the government played in land management. Then we'll go deeper to understand his relationship with preservationist John Muir and how they came to be on opposing sides in the battle to dam a scenic valley in Yosemite National Park. Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Aug 22, 2023 · 18 min
Ep. 83-The Peruvian Peppertree
Send a text Admittedly, I was drawn to this tree because I assumed it served as the inspiration for the Peruvian Puff Pepper that was mentioned in Season 3, Episode 2 of Nickelodeon's "Drake and Josh." I'm still not sure if it is or not, but that doesn't lessen this tree's right to get its own episode. The Peruvian Peppertree is the source of the pink peppercorns we see on grocery store shelves. And this pink pepper has found its way into pre-Incan civilizations, early California missions, and French food fads of the 1980s. Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Aug 8, 2023 · 23 min
Ep. 82-The Candlenut
Send a text Hawaii's upcoming Statehood Day has historically been a controversial holiday for its people. With this in mind, I have chosen this occasion to take a closer look at Hawaiian culture through the lens of its state tree, the Candlenut. As the name suggests, this tree has been used as a candle, but also a clock, a bitter cold remedy, tattoo dye, and so much more. Today, we'll explore how this tree can also serve to enlighten us on the history of Hawaii and her people. Join my Patreon for bonus content and to help contribute to sustainable organizations (patreon.com/MyFavoriteTrees) Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com) Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com) Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast

My Favorite Trees

Ep. 100-The Rest of My Favorite Trees

Q&A 2

Ep. 99-The Elderberry

Ep. 98-The Spruce Revisited

Ep. 97-The Sacred Trees of Kiso

Ep. 96-The Mulberry

Ep. 95-The Tupelo (ft. Doug Still)

Ep. 94-The Myrtle

Ep. 93-Forester Spotlight: Richard St. Barbe Baker

Ep. 92-The Fir

Ep. 91-The Arborvitae

Ep. 90-The African Marula

Ep. 89-The Pinyon Pine

Ep. 88-The Macadamia Tree

Ep. 87-The Pistachio Tree

Ep.86-The Cashew Tree

Ep. 85-The Pawpaw

Ep. 84-Forester Spotlight: Gifford Pinchot

Ep. 83-The Peruvian Peppertree

Ep. 82-The Candlenut