Evergreen – My Favorite Trees

March 19, 2024

Episode 98: The Spruce Revisited

For quite some time now, I’ve been wanting to go back and re-record my Sitka Spruce episode and add more stories I’ve learned since living in Alaska. Simultaneously, you may have wondered why I’ve only covered one of the most loved evergreen conifer groups around the world once. To be honest, I have some issues with the Picea genus, but I suppose now is as good a time as any to air out some dirty laundry. Today, I’ll give the Spruce the credit it’s due and share those Sitka stories I’ve been holding back. But rest assured, you’ll find out how I really feel about these wintry northern giants.
Please send me questions to answer for my upcoming Q&A! Email me at treeguythomas@gmail.com or check out my socials below.
Check out some Tonkori sketches I mentioned in this episode (https://soundcloud.com/masahiro-bessho/sets/tonkori-sound-sketch)
Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com)
Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram
Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com)
Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast

Sources:

https://wiggersfurniture.blogspot.com/2011/01/story-of-kiid-kiyaas-golden-spruce.html

https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Documents/ForestBenefits/SitkaSpruce.pdf

FROST HARDINESS AND DORMANCY IN CONIFERS by 1/ C. Glerum 1/

https://beerconnoisseur.com/articles/history-spruce-beer

https://www.conifers.org/pi/Picea.php

https://forest.jrc.ec.europa.eu/media/atlas/Picea_abies.pdf

https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/25386.pdf

https://bonsai4me.com/speciesguides/picea-spruce-bonsai/

https://www.conifers.org/pi/Picea_jezoensis.php

https://soundcloud.com/masahiro-bessho/sets/tonkori-sound-sketch

https://www.visittrentino.info/en/articles/snow-and-nature/violin-s-forest

March 5, 2024

Episode 97: The Sacred Trees of Kiso

I teased the idea of this episode a few months ago when I covered the Arborvitae, mentioning that the Japanese Arborvitae belonged to a group of species held sacred in a specific forest in Japan. Today, I’d like to highlight these species: two Arborvitae, two Cypresses, and an Umbrella Pine (which isn’t really a Pine). We’ll talk about what makes them biologically special as well as special to those who have lived in and around the Kiso Forest. This relationship teaches us much about Japan’s historic relationship with the natural world and the human-forest connection in general.

Tons of bonus content is available on my Patreon! (patreon.com/MyFavoriteTrees)
Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com)
Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram
Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com)
Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast
Send me an email with questions and suggestions at treeguythomas@gmail.com

Sources:

https://www.conifers.org/cu/Thuja_standishii.php

https://www.conifers.org/cu/Thujopsis.php

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=279623

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=279589

https://www.conifers.org/sc/Sciadopityaceae.php

https://www.nakasendoway.com/kiso-forest/

https://www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/publicity/book/hlj/html/201701/201701_13_en.html

https://www.history.com/topics/asian-history/meiji-restoration

https://www.tofugu.com/japan/state-shinto/

https://muza-chan.net/japan/index.php/blog/shinboku-sacred-tree

https://www.aeon.info/ef/midoripress/japanese/20120614__chinju-no-mori_have_you_ever_traveled_in_japan.html

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19568835/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-japanese-shrine-has-been-torn-down-and-rebuilt-every-20-years-for-the-past-millennium-575558/

https://www.indefenseofplants.com/blog/tag/Sciadopityaceae

December 26, 2023December 26, 2023

Episode 92: The Fir

While there are many holidays that coincide with the Winter season, there are few that involve traditions I love so much as the Christmas Tree. And while there are many options for what kind of evergreen conifer to bring into your home and decorate with lights and baubles, the champion of them all is the Fir. What is it about this tree that makes it so well-loved at this time of year? I’ll explore this species’ relationship with the holiday, dive into why Russia ties a holiday tree to New Years instead, and provide some truly cursed Fir facts that’ll make you forget that this is a Christmas special. I warned you.

Tons of bonus content is available on my Patreon! (patreon.com/MyFavoriteTrees)
Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com)
Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram
Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com)
Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast

Sources:

https://www.treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/abies/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6268138/

https://ncchristmastrees.com/fraser-fir-trees/

https://cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2021/12/christmas-trees-smell-good/

https://www.conifers.org/pi/Abies_procera.php

https://andrewcfox.wixsite.com/andrewcfox/post/totw-fir

https://andrewcfox.wixsite.com/andrewcfox/post/tree-of-the-week-the-trojan-horse

https://www.rbth.com/history/335727-charlotte-prussia-christmas-russia

https://www.new-east-archive.org/articles/show/9424/yolka-russia-new-year-tree-pagan-soviet-christmas

https://www.npr.org/2015/12/19/460186573/dont-call-it-a-christmas-tree-how-russias-yolka-survived-the-revolution

https://www.whitehousehistory.org/press-room/press-backgrounders/white-house-christmas-trees

https://www.nps.gov/whho/learn/historyculture/national-christmas-tree-history.htm

https://northernwoodlands.org/articles/article/blisters

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adsu.202200234

December 12, 2023

Episode 91: The Arborvitae

Depending on where you live, you may know this tree better as Cedar. There’s the Northern White-Cedar, the Western Redcedar, and a few others. But these species, more broadly known as Arborvitae or Thuja, are in a completely different plant family than “true Cedars.” Today, I’ll address this name confusion and dive way deep into why these incredible and unique trees don’t need to bank off of someone else’s success. From sacred forests in Japan, to swamps in the Upper Midwest, to the groves of giants in the Pacific Northwest, Arborvitaes are some of the most deserving individuals of the title “Tree of Life.”

Tons of bonus content is available on my Patreon! (patreon.com/MyFavoriteTrees)
Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com)
Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram
Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com)
Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast

Sources:

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/32378/2816862

https://www.conifers.org/cu/Thuja_standishii.php

https://www.nakasendoway.com/kiso-forest/

https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/botany/botany-general/thuja

https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/thuja-occidentalis

https://fourdirectionsteachings.com/transcripts/ojibwe.html

https://northernwilds.com/the-spirit-little-cedar-tree-on-lake-superior/

https://onondagalakehistoricalecology.weebly.com/northern-white-cedar-swamp.html

https://libraryexhibits.uvm.edu/omeka/exhibits/show/uvmtrees/northernwhitecedar/traditional-uses

https://nrd.kbic-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/fs-4medicines.pdf

https://wildadirondacks.org/trees-of-the-adirondacks-northern-white-cedar-thuja-occidentalis.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2647905/

https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/indigenous-culturally-modified-trees

https://www.jstor.org/stable/40316086

https://www.mtpr.org/arts-culture/2018-11-26/field-notes-the-power-of-the-western-red-cedar

https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/totem_poles/

https://www.lakewildernessarboretum.org/natural-areas/tribal-life-trail/native-use-of-the-western-red-cedar/

https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_thpl.pdf

https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/arch499/nonwest/northwest/theirtools.htm

https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/us/06alaska.html

May 2, 2023

Episode 75: The Mango Tree

This episode kicks off a new three-part fruit tree miniseries! Up first is the Mango Tree, a species hailing from India that inspires love in Hinduism, rest and introspection in Buddhism, and admiration in modern China. Learn more about its unique domestication history in southeast Asia, Florida, and beyond.
Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com)
Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram
Script editing and social media by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com)
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast

Sources:

https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mango_ars.html

https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.15731

https://tucson.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/the-most-popular-mango-in-us-is-far-from-the-best/article_c983fdec-ffe6-5248-95b9-8c340ded52a0.html

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mango

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35461265

https://www.themangofactory.com/growing-mangoes/mango-blooming-polination/blooming-and-pollination/

https://www.thebetterindia.com/57267/mango-national-fruit-of-india-history/

https://medium.com/mango-mindfulness/how-the-humble-mango-tree-became-the-source-of-the-buddhas-awakening-c516e244fba9

https://bigmanbusiness.com/130/top-mango-importing-and-exporting-countries/

https://www.growables.org/information/TropicalFruit/MangoFTBG6.htm

April 4, 2023April 4, 2023

Episode 73: The Scots Pine

This week, I’m revisiting the Celtic Ogham Tree Calendar–but completely out of season. The Scots Pine represents the day after the Winter Solstice in Celtic Faith and symbolizes a guidepost of what is ahead. I figured this symbolism and the stories associated with this tree are also appropriate for the Spring, as days are finally longer than nights and people are starting to get a bit more active with the warmer weather. What could looking into this evergreen’s past reveal to us about our own future?
Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com)
Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram
Script editing and Social Media by Laurie Hilburn (https://lhilburn.journoportfolio.com)
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast.

Sources:

https://treesforlife.org.uk/about-us/narrative/

https://www.scottishforestrytrust.org.uk/userfiles/file/projects/p13-243%20inaugural%20rsfs%20annual%20lecture/scots%20pine.pdf

https://www.conifers.org/pi/Pinus_sylvestris.php

https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/trees/scots-pine/scots-pine-mythology-and-folklore/

https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_1/pinus/sylvestris.htm

https://ireland-calling.com/celtic-mythology-scots-pine-tree/

https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-europe/finnish-trees-0016363

https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/the-march-of-the-pines/

https://pegsandtails.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/pine-2/

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023

Episode 72: The Sabal Palm

As Florida and South Carolina celebrate their respective statehood and independence days this month, we will celebrate their shared state tree! Sometimes called the Palmetto or the Cabbage Palm, there’s a lot of debate regarding whether or not this plant should be considered a tree. I’ll try and clear up that confusion and look into the legendary and controversial history these states share with their natural icon.

Support the show directly by becoming at patron at patreon.com/myfavoritetrees! Get episodes early, production updates, shoutouts on episodes, and bonus videos where I take you on tree walks!
Music is by Academy Garden || academygarden.bandcamp.com
Cover art is by Boomerang Brit || instagram.com/boomerangbrit
Script editing and social media is handled by Laurie Hilburn || https://lhilburn.journoportfolio.com/
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees or on Instagram @treepodcast

Sources:

https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/sabal/palmetto.htm

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST575

http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=338231

https://capitalcitiesusa.org/?p=7530

http://www.thedanielislandnews.com/news/sabal-palmetto-history-and-making-our-state-flag

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/features/hearts-of-palm-food-ingredient

http://www.floridahistorynetwork.com/june-11-1953—sabal-palmetto-palm-becomes-floridas-state-tree.html

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/23/weather/weather-trees-adapt-climate-change/index.html

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/sfl-palm-tree-debate-20150326-story.html

https://www.semtribe.com/stof/culture/chickee

https://stars.library.ucf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4796&context=fhq

https://www.eattheweeds.com/cabbage-palm-sabal-palmetto/

January 10, 2023January 10, 2023

Episode 67: The Coffee Tree

The roasted seed of the Coffee Tree helps me, and a billion other people, wake up and be productive every day. This alone gives it significance in our lives, but our relationship with this drink and the plant it comes from has left footprints throughout human history in the Common Era. Learn about where coffee came from, how it fueled modern capitalism, how it reflects our diverse cultures, and more. The music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast. Share this episode and see if you can get the attention of Folgers or Starbucks!

Sources:

https://mastergardener.extension.wisc.edu/files/2015/12/Coffea.pdf

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/coffea-arabica/

https://sprudge.com/what-is-the-coffee-belt-179028.html

Uncommon Grounds by Mark Pendergast

https://www.statista.com/statistics/263311/worldwide-production-of-coffee/

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/caffeine

https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2007/june/coffee-consumption-over-the-last-century/

December 27, 2022December 27, 2022

Episode 66: The Yew

To cap off 2022, we are returning to the Celtic Ogham Tree Calendar to look at the representative of the Winter Solstice: the Yew. This evergreen’s toxicity has led it to carry heavy death symbolism and thus is used to mark the longest night and the end of the solar year. But its importance to humans is extensive beyond this time of year, with ancient evidence of tool use and modern application in medicine. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast. Join my brand new Patreon at patreon.com/myfavoritetrees!

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6344100/

https://www.conifers.org/ta/Taxus.php

https://www.conifers.org/ta/Taxaceae.php

https://www.iceman.it/en/equipment/

https://nhm.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10141/622351/Clacton%20Spear%202.pdf

https://ati.woodlandtrust.org.uk/how-to-record/species-guides/yew/

http://www.ecoenchantments.co.uk/myogham_yewpage.html

https://www.bellarmine.edu/faculty/drobinson/englishyew.asp

https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/10/31/beneath-the-yew-trees-shade/

https://scotlands-yew-trees.org/history-culture-myth/yew-taxus-a-sensational-survivor/

http://bohemianbudgie.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-sacred-yew-of-yule.html

https://mountpisgaharboretum.org/learn/plant-list/taxus-brevifolia/

https://www.news-medical.net/health/Paclitaxel-Production.aspx

https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/lmh/lmh32.pdf

October 4, 2022October 4, 2022

Episode 60: The Date Palm

Dates are among the earliest tree crops cultivated by humans and retain cultural significance throughout the Middle East and the surrounding Arabic world. Date Palm trees are especially important in Jewish faith and see prominence in multiple holidays, like the upcoming Sukkot. Hear about the long history of these trees, the variety of uses and symbols associated with them, as well as why America turned its back on the fruit in the last century. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees or on Instagram @treepodcast.