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An Aromatic Life

13 Ways To Smell a Tree with David George Haskell

Apr 10, 2025
59:56

#146: In this episode, Frauke sits down with award-winning writer and biologist David George Haskell to talk about his book Thirteen Ways to Smell a Tree. David explains how trees smell, reveals what aromatic language they use to communicate with other living beings, and spells out how we should smell a tree. He then shares what made him decide to write the book, including how we can re-engage with trees and rebuild connections to the natural world. David gives an inspiring answer to the question of which one tree we should smell, and reveals which tree smell is most meaningful to him. They then go deep into two of the thirteen smells in the book, the Green Ash tree and Gin & Tonic, where David reveals some intriguing aromatic stories. He also shares why it’s so important to pay attention and invites the listener to engage in practices of smelling (especially with others). David also explains why he chose to include the link between sound and smell to remind us that all of our senses are connected. He reveals what he hopes people will take away from the book, what gives him hope for the future, and what’s next for him (hint: it involves flowers!). This is a truly inspiring conversation that you’ll want to come back to again and again. 

Visit David’s website: https://dghaskell.com/

Visit Blackwell’s Bookstore (UK)

Listen to Katherine Lehman’s musical interpretations of the 13 smells on Soundcloud

Connect with David on Instagram @davidgeorgehaskell

Connect with David on Facebook: @DavidGeorgeHaskell

Get No Place for Plants children's book on Amazon

Follow Frauke on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@an_aromatic_life ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit Frauke's website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.anaromaticlife.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn about Frauke's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Scent*Tattoo Project

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