

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

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.

Sep 18, 2025 • 1h 7min
Zwetschgenkuchen (European Plum)
Did you save room for dessert? We're having zwetschgenkuchen, or German plum cake, made with the European plum (Prunus domestica).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.

Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 6min
Baesuk (Asian Pear)
Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) is the centerpiece of a Korean dish called baesuk; a dessert even Frankenstein would love.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.

Sep 4, 2025 • 1h 7min
Baklava (Pistachio)
It's Plant Based Diet: Just Desserts, where we talk about 4 of the world's sweetest trees. First up, the pistachio! (Pistacia vera) Hear all about its origins in the Middle East and the dessert that made it famous: baklava. 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.

Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 4min
Buzz Pollination (Bigberry Manzanita)
Buzz buzz! Let’s connect some pollen the new fashioned way with the Bigberry Manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca).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.


