Completely Arbortrary

Explore the intriguing relationship between limber pines and birds, particularly corvids. Discover how these birds influence seed and cone evolution, favoring traits that aid in caching. Dive into the complex taxonomy of limber pines and their regional variations. The hosts also blend scientific insights with personal anecdotes from the field, making tree identification a fascinating pursuit. Enjoy a playful segment on 'Tree Gong' and connect with listeners through an engaging Q&A about tree identification.

Dive into the fascinating world of the Scots pine, exploring its unique flaky bark and bluish needles. Discover the cultural significance of this tree, from shipbuilding to its wide Eurasian range. Learn about its surprising genetic uniformity and how roots communicate and sense their environment. Casey and Alex delve into the remarkable cooperation among forest ecosystems, including root grafting and mycorrhizal networks. Plus, they imagine new tree species, making for an engaging and eye-opening experience.

After five years of tree talks, the hosts announce a significant hiatus. They dive into the reasons behind this break, discussing burnout and life changes. Exciting plans for a final season surface, featuring revamped episodes. Casey shares his ambitious conifer project for a new book and YouTube series, while Alex reveals his plans for a health reset and music career. They reflect on the uncertain future but promise new content and adventures on the horizon. It’s a heartfelt farewell filled with hope and creativity!

Explore the fascinating world of the Oyster Bay-pine and its unique drought survival strategies. Discover how this tree manages water through intricate mechanisms like turgor pressure and negative pressure. Learn about its distinct cone structures, leaf arrangements, and the importance of xylem in transporting water from roots to leaves. The hosts also dive into plant agency, discussing how trees adapt to quickly open stomata after rain. Wrap it up with some holiday humor and folklore about tree superstitions!

Underrated, underplanted, underappreciated… so why isn’t the Japanese pagodatree (Styphnolobium japonicum) a more popular as a street tree in our urban forests?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.

This episode dives into the fascinating world of ebony, exploring its origins in Sri Lanka and its historical significance in trade. The hosts detail the rich biodiversity of Diospyros species and the striking features of ebony wood, including its dark coloration and hardiness. They highlight Bob Taylor's efforts to support sustainable sourcing and combat illegal logging. The fun doesn't stop there; a playful Family Tree game links Batman villains with tree species, blending humor with botanical insights!

Hop aboard the good ship Odyssey to make for the island of the lotus tree (Diospyros lotus). But, could this be a case of mistaken idenitree?...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.

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.

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.

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!