Completely Arbortrary

The Meyer lemon (Citrus x meyeri), named after the tiger-fighting plant explorer Frank Meyer is this week's subject, but they go way further back than that. This sour fruit tree was traded to all corners of the world and cultivated for thousands of years before, and even to this day it can be a life saver... 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.

A tree that has been known to solve everything from rheumatism to syphilis, the sassafras tree (Sassafras albidum) is a quintessential part of the history of the United States. The classic ingredient of root beer, this tree has a lot to offer, but may not be quite as pure as they thought...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.

The olive (Olea europaea). What more needs to be said about this historic tree? This week, we dive into how it is grown, where, and how orchards have developed and changed throughout history. The wonderful history of the olive, its groves, and its future are the topic this week.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.

The nut that actually is a nut, this week we chat about the filbert (Corylus avellana) and discuss the philosophical distinction between what exactly is a shrub versus a tree? We ask the question can we even include this in a podcast about trees? Or do we need to reconsider the very nature of that alleged category.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.

The pomegranate (Punica granatum), a tree of mythical history, is our subject this week. We dive to the depths of Hades back again, exploring the outsized role this squat tree has had in the myths and histories of nearly every religion and culture of the Mediterranean, Middle East and southern Asia. 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 week we chat about the Colorado pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) and its multitude of uses and fascinations. A group of pines, the pinyons, are an interesting evolutionary clade that tend to interbreed where their populations overlap. The seeds of the pinyon, though, are what has led to them being of utmost important to our culinary pantheons.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.

The center of conflict and conquest, the Helen of Troy of Trees, the nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) tree has caused international incidents and revolutionized the flavors of cuisines world wide. We talk all about how this tree and the Spice Islands it grows on impacted the world. Then we get a delectable recipe and description of nutmeg that will simply make your mouth water.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.

A historic tree that still shapes our world today, the almond (Prunus amygdalus) is curious member of our culinary pantheon. Once so inedible that it would kill you, now it's one of the most popular and widely grown trees in the world. But with that popularity comes a cost...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.

An oak that has got it all figured out, the holm oak (Quercus ilex) has made a friend that is worth having. This week we talk about the holm oak and its most famous fungal associate, the Périgord truffle mushroom. Then, we flip the script and Casey gives Alex a chance to play a brand new game... 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.

Mango, one of the world's most beloved fruits is the subject this week. A tropical wondertree, we chat about where the mango is from and its numerous benefits. However, this tree and its family have a dark side that has Casey and Alex keeping their distance... Then, we hear from Daphne K. Jenkins, maker of mochi!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.