

Completely Arbortrary
Completely Arbortrary
Tree advocate Casey Clapp and his tree-curious friend Alex Crowson bring you a podcast about trees and other related topics. History, culture, art, religion, science... trees affect and are affected by everything. Join Casey and Alex on their silly and educational journey to prove it.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 27, 2025 • 1h 11min
Holiday Merch Sale + Urban Trees and Racism
As we take a quick break we're here to remind you that our holiday merch sale ends ON BLACK FRIDAY, and reintroduce you to our talk on urban trees and racism. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mini-VandalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 20, 2025 • 1h 10min
BONUS EPISODE: Fungus in the Fall
As the boys take a much needed break from the wild world of modern podcasting, they present to you the audio from a 2023 livestream entitled Fungus in the Fall.Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mini-VandalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 13, 2025 • 1h
Splitting Facts (Weeping Juniper)
Dive into the world of junipers as the hosts explore the fascinating weeping juniper, uncovering its drooping habits and berry-like cones. They discuss the evolutionary history of junipers splitting from cypresses and the impressive diversity within the genus. Learn about the unique speciation driven by bird dispersal and isolated mountain 'sky islands.' Plus, hear insights on soil health and the potential pitfalls of over-fertilizing trees. A blend of botany, ecology, and practical gardening advice awaits!

Nov 6, 2025 • 1h 5min
Goin' Thig Mode (Fraser Fir)
The boys are joined by their first ever third host to discuss goin' thig mode with thigmomorphogenesis and the Fraser fir (Abies fraseri). Then, a test of Casey's binomial spelling skills with The Spelling Tree. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mini-VandalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 30, 2025 • 1h 10min
Deal with the Devil (Bigleaf Magnolia)
BEEware of the bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla). This tree made such a strong alliance with beetles, that any other insect trying to get in gets KILLED. Then we play a Halloween edition of Family Tree!Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mini-VandalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 58min
Lil' Apple Make This Horse Go Crazy (Manzanilla de la Muerte)
This week, the hosts dive into the eerie world of the Manzanilla de la Muerte, a tree known for making horses go crazy! They explore its toxic white latex, discuss bizarre ecological theories about its poisonous fruit, and recount firsthand accounts of its dangerous effects. The conversation includes the historical uses of the tree's toxins and the alarming symptoms from contact. With a blend of folklore, facts, and some playful trivia, they rate this treacherous tree while calling for more scientific research.

10 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 52min
Mummy and Me (Coffintree)
Discover the fascinating Coffin Tree, known for its towering height and decay-resistant wood. The hosts delve into its unique properties, exploring why it's traditionally used for coffins. Learn about its ancient lineage, impressive dimensions, and the cultural significance of good wood in funerary customs. They even discuss a quirky botanical history and the plant's potential lifespan of 2,000 years. Join the fun as they share amusing theories and playful ratings, making botany entertaining and lively!

4 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 1h 13min
Creature from the Black Tea Lagoon (Swamp Tupelo)
Dive into the world of the swamp tupelo, a fascinating tree thriving in blackwater swamps. Discover how to distinguish it from similar species by its unique leaf size and bark characteristics. Learn about its remarkable adaptations for surviving submerged environments, including oxygen uptake strategies. The hosts also explore its mischievous side with alcohol production through anaerobic fermentation. With humorous insights and engaging discussions, this episode brings the mysterious beauty of swamp ecosystems to life.

Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 4min
Sectored Architecture (Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine)
What if your left foot was in charge of keeping your left hand alive? What if your right big toe was responsible for the right ear? With sectored architecture, the future is now! (Actually, it's about 2000 years ago). Join us for a discussion of the Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata) and remember to use coupon code BLOWOUT for 30% off everything at arbortrarypod.com/merchCompletely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mini-VandalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 25, 2025 • 1h 19min
Pavlova (The Fruit That Serves Itself)
The maracuya, the passionfruit, the fruit that serves itself (Passiflora lindeniana) produces one of the best fruits in the world (unbiased opinion), which lends its flavor to one of the best desserts in the world (unbiased opinion). Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex CrowsonSupport the pod and become a Treemium MemberFollow along on InstagramFind Arbortrary merch on our storeFind additional reading on our websiteCover art by Jillian BartholdMusic by Aves and The Mini-VandalsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


