The Meaning of Trees Podcast

Bianca Thomas is a climbing arborist whose sole purpose in life has become to learn and gather wisdom from trees, following an ayahuasca induced epiphany that she’s never looked back from. In this end of season special with a final twist, Bianca tells Tom why trees have become her most trusted of guides since leaving behind a career in molecular biology, how her newfound partners are connecting her to an ever-expanding network of other tree inspired people and why the margins of conversation where science, spirituality and human storytelling intersect are providing by far the most reliable sources of curiosity.Watch this interview on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/_t0AcTWN9gcRead more about how Bianca turned to trees here: https://arbortec.com/blogs/news/tree-surgeon-uk-a-woman-s-path-to-arboriculture?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAad1NrSma1yL5GVAj5pcrlsn5qddJvgE8JNlNlf3rmK630RlvNyE68ckt3a3uA_aem_ODqkuzzGzUzUMMTnb_0C6ACheck out Bianca’s YouTube channel and go deeper into her story of personal connection with all things arboreal here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbr51I6t0Zkks4sUcVXwqtAFind links to all The Meaning of Trees content and episodes here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

TEDx speaker, Simon Ferrar, is founder and creator of Clandon Wood Natural Burial Ground, a multi award winning nature reserve where people are laid to rest sustainably, in harmony with natural processes. Tom gets Simon's thoughts on how trees are like silent watchers over our lives, learns about the ancient burial practices coming back to life at Clandon Wood and asks for advice on how best to plan for his own death one day.Find out more about Clandon Wood Natural Burial Ground here - https://www.clandonwood.com/See Simon's TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HHwBH_fWSIFind links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

Sarah Dodd is CEO and founder of the UK’s first and only law firm specialising solely in tree-specific legal and protection issues. With the dust still settling after the Sycamore Gap trial, Tom gets Sarah’s expert opinion on exactly where this world famous case now leaves us, what might have motivated those who felled the iconic tree that night and how likely a similar event might be tomorrow.Learn more about Sarah’s firm, Tree Law, here:  https://www.treelaw.co.uk/Check out the recording of Sarah's 2025 Tree Law conference here: https://youtu.be/9GelfB7sOY4?si=9a57O4Y_bD0wUpu5Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

Jim Mulholland is a bat and veteran tree specialist with a knack for leaving a big impression in the expert talks and training courses he delivers.In this wide-ranging interview, recorded at Savernake Forest, Tom and Jim cover everything from bat poo, bat discos and Batman to neurodiversity in the scientific communities Jim is a part of and why Die Hard's opening scene is something we could all learn a thing or two from.Sign up for Jim's Bats & Trees Masterclass training here: https://bats.thinkific.com/courses/Bats-and-Trees-MasterclassFind links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

Nobody knows Epping Forest quite like Andy Froud, a man who has spent the past quarter century looking after its 55,000 veteran trees and getting up close and personal with the super-rare wildlife that lives in and alongside them.Tom and Andy chat about his early years spent in West Ham Park, the challenges of managing a vast ancient forest just 15 miles from Big Ben and how to correctly identify a daddy long legs.Learn more about Epping Forest here: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/epping-forest/how-we-manage-epping-forest Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

Lynne Boddy is Professor of Mycology at Cardiff University and has been a true pioneer in progressing our knowledge of much maligned but essential tree and forest fungal communities for the past 50 years.Tom and Lynne discuss some of the strangest and rarest fungi hiding in our woods, why the Wood Wide Web concept definitely needs more work and dive deep into the unsexy world of rot and wood decay.Check out Lynne’s brilliant videos on wood decay and tree fungi as part of Ancient Tree Forum’s VETcert course resources here: https://www.ancienttreeforum.org.uk/resources/videos/vetcert-further-guidance-on-veteran-tree-management/Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

Julian Hight is a heritage trees author and storyteller who has travelled the globe in search of nature’s oldest veterans and the timeless tales we attach to them.He chats with Tom about his many tree-inspired adventures, the rich historical and sacred significance of trees he’s encountered and why Windsor’s age-defying ancients continue to leave him awestruck.Check out Julian’s brilliant range of books here: https://worldtreestory.my-free.website/Book on to one of Julian’s upcoming tree tours at Windsor Great Park here - The Ancient Trees of Windsor - Heritage tree walk & talk with Julian Hight - Cumberland LodgeFind links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

Dubbed “the education of the eye” by its founders, Tree Architecture is an alternative way of seeing and interpreting trees and ex-forester, Tom Joye, has been leading sold out courses on the subject for some years now in the UK, creating a quiet revolution in how we think about and manage the trees we look after.Tom shares the core perspective-shifting principles and language behind this new branch of science, explains why many trees in Belgium are at a disadvantage and takes us to meet one of Europe’s oldest oaks.Book a place on Tom‘s upcoming UK Tree Architecture course at Epping Forest here: https://www.ancienttreeforum.org.uk/events/tree-architecture-2-day-workshop-27-28-november-2025-fsc-epping-forest/Learn more about Tree Architecture here: https://www.ancienttreeforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/P44-49_FINAL.pdfFind links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

Alejandra Hart is a writer and Woodland Trust Communications Officer whose heartfelt stories inspire people to care more deeply about temperate rainforest restoration in the UK.Tom and co-host, Arifah Sheikh, learn about the unique meeting of minds that Alejandra took part in at Buckland Wood on Dartmoor, discuss why pausing to listen is so essential when we're setting out to build meaningful connections and discover how ocean and forest habitats are more intricately linked than we've ever imagined before.Check out Alejandra's brilliant blog RAINFOREST ECHOES: FROM THE AMAZON TO DARTMOOR here: https://www.rainforestrecovery.org.uk/news/rainforest-echoesFind links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

Forest Entomologist, Kevin Chase Ph.D, is a Researcher with Bartlett Tree Experts who grew up in the Appalachian mountains of Pennsylvania, USA.Tom and Kevin talk about their special collaboration around worms, unearth what makes these humble ecosystem engineers so vital to trees and then burrow deep into the fascinating 'Allee Effect' philosophy.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastCheck out more about Kevin's work with Bartlett Tree Experts' Research team here: https://www.bartlett.com/staff/kevin-chase-phdWith special thanks to National Trust Leith Hill Place for hosting this recording https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/leith-hill/visiting-the-house-at-leith-hill-place

Bonsai connoisseur, Amelia Williams, has been studying and working with trees of all sizes for more than 20 years, most recently as Director of UK tree consultancy firm - the Arb Company.Tom and Amelia zoom in on the miniature world of tiny tree craft and discuss what bonsai can teach us about better looking after bigger trees, as well as ourselves.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastCheck out Amelia’s Arb Company website here: https://arb.company/amelia-williams/With special thanks to National Trust Sheffield Park for hosting this recording https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/sheffield-park-and-garden

Tom meets a mystery guest in what ends up being a particularly revealing interview for him personally...Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

Kate Colenbrander is a Canadian filmmaker, photographer, writer and UCL Anthropology graduate who brings hidden stories to light from beneath the surface of mainstream conversation.Tom and Kate discuss her provocative new film - In Arboretum - which poses important questions about the lack of protection our oldest trees face versus development, what the modern human / tree relationship looks like today and what trees might say if they were able to talk.Watch Kate's film - IN ARBORETUM here: https://youtu.be/CSuK3Ea6L9EFind links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastCheck out Kate's website here: https://katecolenbrander.com/

Elena Pearce is a post-doctoral Researcher with Aarhus University in Denmark with a special curiosity in what Europe’s forest ecology was like before the last ice age.Hear her explanation of the long term warming and cooling cycles of our planet, her thoughts on how studying the forests of the past can help us better understand the present picture and why re-inventing a woolly mammoth might not be the best of ideas.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastVisit Elena's Aarhus University Research profile here: https://pure.au.dk/portal/en/persons/[email protected]

Fred Breglia is Director of the Landis Arboretum in Upstate New York and a huge advocate for the protection of old growth forests and champion trees, connecting more than 1.5 million tree enthusiasts from around the world through his much loved Instagram and Facebook accounts. Tom and Fred talk about his very first encounter with a giant tree, the power of sharing images and why there's no time like today to appreciate the last remaining trees of great age.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastFred is a founder of the Ancient Forests Facebook group: www.facebook.com/ancientforests

As a founding member of the Ancient Tree Forum, Vikki Bengtsson has studied Europe's veteran trees and their special ecology for more than 30 years and her latest research remains at the cutting edge of tree related-science.Tom and Vikki chat holes, hollows and cavities, delve deep into the idea that trees might live forever (if we let them) and discuss the thinking behind her most controversial work.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastLearn more about Ancient Tree Forum here: https://www.ancienttreeforum.org.uk/

Luke Adam Hawker is a tree-inspired artist, a devoted father, a Sunday Times best selling author and a Woodland Trust ambassador.After a short walk in the Surrey Hills, Tom and Luke sit down to discuss the timeless powers of trees in storytelling, the way his son Harry has irreversibly shaped his life for the better and how trees can offer faith in tougher times.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastCheck out Luke's artwork here: https://www.lukeadamhawker.com/

Chantal Lyons is author of ‘Groundbreakers: The Return of Britain’s Wild Boar’ and has spent the past few years immersing herself into the world of megafauna.After walking in the Forest of Dean, Tom and Chantal discuss wild boars’ special role in supporting forest ecology, the perceptions of danger that often accompany them and her hopes for a world where wild animals and human beings might one day co-exist in harmony.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastFind out more Chantal's book - Groundbreakers: The Return of Britain's Wild Boar - here: chantallyons.ukFind out more about the Forest of Dean here: https://www.forestryengland.uk/the-forest-of-dean

Meli Tanuku Nakauvadra is a Counselling and Education student at Fiji's National University and a strong advocate for mental health awareness in indigenous iTaukei culture.Tom and Meli talk about why trees and natural spaces matter so much in a developing country with a rich indigenous heritage to protect and discuss the concept of 'dominion' in traditional Christian teaching.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastFind out more about Meli's advocacy for mental health with indigenous communities here: https://www.pressreader.com/fiji/the-fiji-times/20240629/284094916690918?srsltid=AfmBOop4q-EpXugZU3qxtMwrjuebs6RMVYCpV6ihgPilJz92wVtpE5sR

The story of Na Waqa Drua, a revolutionary project to create a giant twin-hulled, wind-powered ocean canoe combining ancient and cutting edge technologies in a shared mission to sail around the world.Tom interviews Carson Young and his diverse team of innovators to learn how they are bringing back to life a Fijian odyssey whilst ensuring that it’s fully fit for the future.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastLearn more about the Na Waqa Drua project here: https://www.facebook.com/people/Waqa-Drua/100087579050491

Sanjana Lal is Fiji’s national Conservator of Forests and heads up the Fijian Government’s Ministry of Forestry department, advocating for sustainable forest stewardship in a country with 61% tree cover where 80% of the land is owned and inhabited by indigenous communities.Tom and Sanjana explore her thoughts and philosophies on protecting pristine rainforest and discuss why a community-centred approach remains vital to a future-proof mindset.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastLearn more about Fiji's Ministry of Forestry here: Ministry of Forestry

Simione Sevudredre is one of Fiji’s best-known advocates when it comes to protecting indigenous heritage and human rights in the South Pacific.Tom and Simione chat in depth about Fijian totem trees, the humble coconut, Fijian tribal values and the many virtues of living a nature-based identity.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastFind out more about Simione's cultural heritage advocacy work here: Simione Sevudredre: A Leader in Cultural Consultancy and Advocacy - Pacific Tourism OrganisationWith special thanks to National Trust of Fiji Islands for hosting this recording https://nationaltrust.org.fj

Season 2 kicks off with guest host Arifah interviewing Tom on his return from Fiji alongside talented Videographer and Woah Studios Director, Pita Yee.We learn about the making of their new documentary - 'Sentinels: Protecting Fiji's Heritage Trees' - and Pita shares some amusing insights into his life and art form.Watch our documentary - 'Sentinels - Protecting Fiji's Heritage Trees' - here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts_btxFI_7g&t=1500sFind links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastCheck out Woah Studios’ portfolio here: https://www.facebook.com/share/16EfnFQYvG/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Friend of the podcast, Arifah Sheikh, takes charge of this end of season special as Tom turns guest for the day before interviewing his 10 year old daughter to find out what trees mean to her.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

Reg Harris is an arborist and veteran tree consultant that works on highly prestigious trees like the famous Major Oak at Sherwood Forest.Tom and Reg chat about the lifelong impressions a chance meeting with an indigenous North American man made upon him as a child, what it is about ancient trees that makes him so passionate about his work and how he ended up running the London Marathon bare foot.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastLink to Reg’s company website - Urban Forestry here: https://urbanforestry.infoWith special thanks to Sheffield Park for hosting this recording https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/sheffield-park-and-garden

Wyl Menmuir is the award-winning author of The Heart of the Woods, a book uncovering our deep cultural associations with trees and the traditional crafts and rituals that continue to bind us to them today.Tom and Wyl meet up at the Ankerwycke yew to chat about the legendary Green Man, discuss Wyl’s reflections on ancient forest cultures in Japan and get to the bottom of why he undertook a planned trespass.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastLearn more about Wyl’s books here: https://www.wylmenmuir.co.uk/With special thanks to NT Ankerwycke for hosting this recording https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/runnymede-and-ankerwycke

Dr Cecilia Chavana-Bryant grew up amongst the urban sprawl of Monterrey, Mexico's 2nd largest city, before a fascination with trees inspired a career studying rainforest canopies in Brazil, Peru, Guyana and Australia.Tom and Cecilia delve into memories of her long bus trips spent looking for green space as a child, the exotic forest wildlife she's met in her research and how she became part of a team creating VR experiences involving ancient trees to share their majesty with all.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastLearn more about Cecilia’s forest canopy research here: https://www.ceciliachavana-bryant.com/

Sir Harry Studholme is a former Forestry Commission Chair, Honorary Treasurer of the Devon County Agricultural Association, owner of an historic family estate and an avid researcher of prehistoric forest activity.Tom and Harry enjoy a wide-ranging chat that takes in an interglacial safari, the formation of the Forestry Commission, the worrying existential threat posed by climate change and elephants in Exeter.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastLearn more about Forestry Commission here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/forestry-commission

Cheryl Silvawood began her conservation career as a photo journalist in South East Asia, travelling the world to study remote and awe-inspiring habitats before uncovering a love for ancient and veteran trees in the UK.Tom and Cheryl delve into her childhood memories of parks and urban wildlife encounters in Singapore, the origins of her tree-inspired blog - @inalandofgiants - and her hopes for the future of both planet and people.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastCheck out Cheryl’s blog - In a Land of Giants - here: https://inalandofgiants.blog/With special thanks to National Trust Heddon Valley for hosting this recording https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/heddon-valley

Mick Diplock lost his sight more than 20 years ago, but the pure joy he gets from running amongst trees has never left him.In this episode, Tom investigates how Mick forged a lifelong affection for woods and the great outdoors, how going blind in mid-life changed his relationship with every aspect of the world around him and how he's still crossing the finish line at the great age of 80.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastWith special thanks to National Trust Nymans for hosting this recording https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/nymans

Liba Ravindran is a London based Community Organiser, climate justice activist and tree-loving poet of Sri Lankan heritage.In this heartfelt interview, we explore Liba's work to support marginalised communities within the UK, the difference in western and global majority mindsets when it comes to thinking about the natural environment and the fundamental role trees continue to play in so many different cultures around the world.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastLiba is founder of Anti-Oppression Circle: https://www.encaf.org/london/encaf-network/anti-oppression-circle

Jill Butler has spent a lifetime fighting for better protection of ancient and veteran trees in the UK as a long-time ambassador for the Woodland Trust and Ancient Tree Forum.We discuss how old trees are integral to our cultural and natural heritage, how many irreplaceable trees remain under threat from human developments and the inspiration she's gleaned from like-minded tree activists around the world.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

Kevin Martin is Head of Tree Collections at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and is leading a cutting-edge climate modelling project to predict the fate of Kew's trees come 2090, if temperatures continue to rise.Tom and Kevin discuss his memories of following his dad around as a tree surgeon, his travels around the world to study exotic forest habitats and what his wife makes of his lifelong mission to rescue Kew’s tree collection.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastLearn more about Kew here: https://www.kew.org/With special thanks to National Trust Savoy Hill House for hosting this recording.

Anita Prasad-Willems is a Brighton-based wellbeing counsellor and therapist that depends on trees to keep her rooted and grounded in life.Tom and Anita discuss her work to help others connect with Mother Earth, the otherworldly realms she's encountered through her meditation practices, the simple benefits of spending time around trees and how to tell if a podcast is AI generated.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastLearn more about Anita’s Wisdom Within therapies here: https://www.wisdomwithintherapies.com/plans

Martin Hügi is Senior Conservation Advisor at the Woodland Trust and known more widely as the Ancient Tree Pilgrim because in spring 2023 he set off on foot from Lands End to John O' Groats to meet more than 2000 of the UK's oldest and most majestic trees.In this episode, Tom and Martin discuss the origins of his sacred solo mission, the reverence he holds for ancient trees and how his journey became more important than any destination.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastLearn more about the Woodland Trust here: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.ukWith special thanks to National Trust Hatfield Forest for hosting this recording https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/hatfield-forest

Mo Wilde is an author, foraging expert and ethnobotanist living in West Lothian, Scotland.Tom and Mo discuss the radical Wildbiome experiment she led in partnership with ZOE in 2020 where she survived solely on wild foraged food for an entire year to test the effects on her gut microbiome and they chat about her early memories of trees in Kenya, modern food production and Mo’s personal insights into the hunter gatherer lifestyle.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastFind out more about Mo’s books and the Wildbiome experiment here: https://monicawilde.com

Tom Burns is Ranger and Woodsman at Knepp Wildlands, a pioneering rewilding project and a leading light for nature recovery in the UK.In this episode, guest Tom takes us on a virtual safari of Knepp to encounter the best of its wildlife, tackles some of the most common misconceptions surrounding the rewilding approach, speaks about his urban upbringing and shares what being a Ranger is all about.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastFind out more about Knepp here: https://knepp.co.uk

Rosie Heydenrych is founder of the Turnstone Guitar Company, making beautiful guitars by hand at her workshop in the Ashdown Forest.Tom and Rosie chat about the history of her craft, listen to the beautiful tones made by different timbers and discuss how she's adopting locally grown timbers in place of critically endangered tropical hardwoods.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastCheck out Rosie’s hand made guitars here: https://turnstoneguitar.co.uk

John Deakin is Head of Trees & Woodland for National Trust, Europe's largest natural and cultural heritage conservation charity.In this episode, Tom and John discuss the aftermath of the Sycamore Gap incident, the Trust's ambitious plans to establish 20 million new trees by 2030, his memories of yew trees growing up and why active and considered woodland management are essential to a healthy environment.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastFind out more about National Trust here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.ukWith special thanks to National Trust Grosvenor Gardens for hosting this recording.

Ever thought-provoking, Ted Green is a name synonymous with the world of ancient trees and he remains a Crown Estate Conservation Adviser at 89 years old.Tom and Ted discuss the way that trees transport us back in time, Ted recalls how the oaks at Windsor have kept him going since his father went missing in World War 2 and he shares his theories on seed dispersal and the idea that humans are animals.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastTed’s book - Treetime - is available here: https://www.trees.org.uk/Book-Shop/Products/Treetime-Ted-Green

Dr Amy Cardinal Christianson is a wildfire researcher for the Canadian Forest Service and a woman of indigenous Métis heritage with a life-long appreciation for trees and forest ecosystems.Tom introduces series 1 of the podcast before he and Amy discuss the rise of forest fire evacuations in North America and she shares her personal insights into the age-old land stewardship practices the Métis people are fighting to keep alive today.Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcastAmy’s Good Fire Podcast:  https://yourforestpodcast.com/good-fire-podcast