Episode 85: The Pawpaw

The Pawpaw tree is a mysterious one, somehow being both my most requested topic and one many are likely to not have heard of. This tree species produces the largest native tree fruit in North America, but despite growing among temperate Oaks and Hickories, it has qualities seen only in otherwise tropical plants. Explore the Pawpaw with me, from its earliest impacts on human history to how it could find its way back into the spotlight today.    
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://susqnha.org/riverroots-forgotten-fruit-pawpaw/

https://raintreenursery.com/blogs/pnw-edible-plant-blog/considering-pawpaw-biology-to-inform-how-to-grow-them

https://www.gardenclub.org/blog/native-american-paw-paw-trees

https://apalacheresearch.com/2021/06/24/the-indigenous-agriculture-of-the-americas-pawpaw-fruit/

https://daily.jstor.org/plant-of-the-month-the-pawpaw/

https://www.nps.gov/articles/pawpaw.htm

https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/asitri/all.html#BOTANICAL%20AND%20ECOLOGICAL%20CHARACTERISTICS

https://patch.com/massachusetts/charlestown/historic-canoe-burning-underway-near-boston-harbor

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/native-americans-and-freedom-religion/

https://heppy.org/paw-paw-festival/

Episode 82: The Candlenut

Hawaii’s upcoming Statehood Day has historically been a controversial holiday for its people. With this in mind, I have chosen this occasion to take a closer look at Hawaiian culture through the lens of its state tree, the Candlenut. As the name suggests, this tree has been used as a candle, but also a clock, a bitter cold remedy, tattoo dye, and so much more. Today, we’ll explore how this tree can also serve to enlighten us on the history of Hawaii and her people.

Join my Patreon for bonus content and to help contribute to sustainable organizations (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.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.4124

https://kawaiola.news/moomeheu/moolelo/the-candlenut-tree/

https://www.pandaonline.com/the-kukui-nut-tree-in-hawaii/

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/hawaii-statehood-day

https://www.hawaii-aloha.com/blog/2016/08/19/what-is-statehood-day-in-hawaii-and-how-will-it-impact-my-visit/

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/08/17/years-celebrations-statehood-have-turned-muted-observance/

https://www.nps.gov/hale/learn/historyculture/early-hawaiians.htm

https://247wallst.com/special-report/2018/04/25/each-states-official-tree/

https://www.cdc.gov/islandaffairs/territories-states.html

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/04/have-you-seen-disneys-kukui-nut-tree/

Episode 78: The Balsa Tree

It’s no coincidence that model planes, cars, and other scale replicas are often made from the same material: Balsa wood. The wood of the Balsa tree is incredibly lightweight and uniquely strong given the former characteristic. And on top of the incredible biology associated with this, the Balsa Tree has been involved in some incredible adventures–like the Kon-Tiki Expedition from South America to Polynesia. Learn why I’ve decided to attribute symbolism of discovery with this jungle giant.
Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com)
Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram
Script editing and social media is managed by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com)
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast

Sources

https://www.kew.org/plants/balsa-tree

https://myplantin.com/plant/5353

https://www.kon-tiki.no/expeditions/kon-tiki-expedition/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-voyage-kon-tiki-misled-world-about-navigating-pacific-180952478/

https://www.mat.uc.pt/~pedro/ncientificos/artigos/techbal.html

https://www.si.edu/object/de-havilland-dh-98-btt-mk-35-mosquito%3Anasm_A19640023000

https://futuretreehealth.com.au/balsa-tree/

https://news.mongabay.com/2021/08/indigenous-amazonian-communities-bear-the-burden-of-ecuadors-balsa-boom/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305346606_ANIMAL_VISITATION_AND_POLLINATION_OF_FLOWERING_BALSA_TREES_Ochroma_pyramidale_IN_PANAMA_VISITA_DE_ANIMALES_Y_POLINIZACION_DE_ARBOLES_DE_BALSO_Ochroma_pyramidale_EN_PANAMA

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/

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/

Episode 54: The Cycad

What many understand to be the age of the dinosaurs is, in the plant world, the age of the Cycad. These are weird plants that look like palms or ferns and made up most of the world’s plant composition in the Jurassic Era. But some species are still around today–and in some unexpected places. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast.

Sources:

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/cycads/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123749840003363

https://www.cmnh.org/paleobotany-paleoecology

https://www.farandwide.com/s/national-parks-no-longer-exist-1795c23e03294277

https://www.nps.gov/articles/fossil-cycad-national-monument.htm

https://www.biologydiscussion.com/gymnosperm/top-9-economic-uses-of-cycas-cycadales/22602

https://www.fotw.info/flags/vu.html

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/zamia-integrifolia/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/cycad

Episode 35: The Coconut Tree

Part 2 of my fruit tree series is about the Coconut Tree. The coconut is synonymous with island time—warm breezes and chill vibes. Hear how these long, skinny trees became an iconic feature of warm beaches around the world. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees.

Sources:

https://www.etymonline.com/word/coco

https://allyouneedisbiology.wordpress.com/2016/06/20/coconut-tree-biology/

https://www.bioversityinternational.org/fileadmin/bioversity/publications/Web_version/108/ch02.htm

https://www.earthstoriez.com/india-coconut-myth-folklore/

https://vt.co/news/weird/111this-is-the-bizarre-story-of-the-coconut-religion

https://web.archive.org/web/20131022095309/ http://vinhthong.info/FAQ/faq_luomlat_CoconutReligion_ConPhung.html

https://www.aramcoworld.com/Articles/January-2017/Cracking-Coconut-s-History

https://source.wustl.edu/2011/06/deep-history-of-coconuts-decoded/

https://tahitinuitravel.com/destination/the-coconut-tree-legend/