Conifer-killing asteroid
Hi Casey and Alex, I was reading “When The World Was Green” by Riley Black, and when I got to the part about the “dinosaur-killing asteroid” also wiping out huge numbers of conifers, the first thing I thought was “Oh, Casey is probably so sad about this.” So, Casey, *are* you sad about this? Or are you sad because it’s called the “dinosaur-killing asteroid” and not the “conifer-killing asteroid”? Or have you pretty much become reconciled with the whole thing? Jade (she/her)
Justice for Chaparral!
As a native Californian, I feel I must stand up for our native cat swimming pools... I mean plant community. Chaparral is often denigrated because it doesn’t have “real” trees and goes summer dormant, but it’s an incredibly unique and diverse ecosystem. The variety of adaptations to the seasonal extremes alone is just super impressive. Also, pretty much any forest is gonna be pokey if there aren’t well maintained trails. I promise it’s not worse than the understory anywhere else (blackberries anyone??). I demand a formal apology from Alex “Bigberry” Crowson, preferably with echo effect. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Guerilla planting endangered species
Hello there! I was just wondering if, theoretically, an endangered species of plant or tree were to be found at a potential construction site, would that halt the construction and save the natural area? And if it would stop the construction, could a person, theoretically, guerilla plant something native and endangered in order to facilitate a stoppage of the destruction of our natural landscapes? Thank you Guy Fawkes
Supporting Alex's new album
What's up fellas?! I was a broke muhfucka during the fundraiser for Alex's new album. I might have a few bucks to spare nowadays. Is there another way to support the album? I really liked Sorry I Missed You. I didn't like it the first time I listened to it. But I think when I tried to listen to it, I was more in the mood for like Slipknot or ICP or something like that. But I listened to it again later and it's a wonderful album!! So yeah, how do I support the new album?! Thanks guys Rich Michigan
Norway maple massacre!!
Hey Alex and Casey! I live on my school campus and on the drive I there are Norway maples lining the road that are pretty but seem to be a lot weaker than some other trees on the campus. There has also been a spongy moth caterpillar “attack” in the summer of 2024 and I have noticed these trees have really not adapted well to them. This summer, 5 out of probably 15-20 of these trees have had to be cut down due to their potential of falling (which opens up space for the sun to hit the asphalt and concrete, making temperatures hotter through the urban heat island effect.) More are being cut down and I personally do not want more of this crimson king replanted just to die off again. I have not noticed a lot of symptoms in other trees around even with same climate and conditions. Do more bred and cultivated specimens have harder times when in comes to an infection, and if so why? Also what trees could be planted in the future for better protection against some natural changes and ones that look nice for general campus beauty? Love the pod, long time listener and brand new come club member! 🌲🌳🏡 -Zoe
Curly Leaf Willows!
Hi Casey and Alex! I was recently gifted a little curly leaf willow (Salix matsudana “Tortuosa”) and I love it so much! There is a meadery near my town that has the most GORGEOUS specimen tree (I will email pictures when I get them) of a Curly Leaf Willow, and I would love to grow my sapling into something similar! But my question actually is - why are they SO curly? Is that an advantage somehow, or just another “just the way it grows?” You guys are still the best podcast ever and I’m still improving my skills to be a cone illustrator one day!
Portland and Trees in Trouble in Washington Post
Hey guys - frequent listener, and always recommend you. Thought of you when I read this article today in the Washington Post:" Does your city have too much of one kind of tree? That can be a problem." It specifically mentions Portland -- https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/interactive/2025/city-tree-diversity-vulnerability-maps/ Second question -- why is it so hard to find the supercast link on your official website???? Or is it just me? Love your pod cast! Susan
I'd love to hear more about Crotons
When you were talking about variety vs cultivar recently I was reminded of my old collection of tropical houseplants (RIP; they died in a flash freeze in what was supposed to be a 4 season sunroom) and all the cultivars of croton I had. My oldest one was reaching tree status at the time (tall enough to walk under!) though I know that species is more often a shrub than a tree. Perhaps you could cover this genus, and tie in about how extensive and crazy cultivars can get? I remember back when I was collecting in the 2000s and early 2010s there was online exchanges for cultivars and seemingly hundreds of cultivars of the croton houseplant variety, so it could be a good example of cultivars being made by hobbyists. (I also remember someone who had a variegated cultivar of poison ivy... so some of these hobbyists have a sense of humour!)
Maximizing Oxygen and Carbon Removal
Hi folks, are certain tree species better at burying carbon and emitting oxygen more than others? If the entire world decided one day "hey we're actually going to fight climate change, but need to remove as much carbon and maximize oxygen output asap" - does that change the process of what trees to plant? Or is the output so miniscule that it's just the quantity and size of the trees is all that really matters and not the type of tree? Thanks!
Mountain biking
Hi guys, Thanks for identifying my Iceland tree. Unfortunately, I went back to Hallormsstaður National Forest and the Bristlecone Pines I found before were dead. I did find pines with 2 and 3 needles per fascicle with similar grey bark that I think were Mountain Pines. Now I have a question. We ride mountain bikes on trails through the woods here in Michigan and I suddenly thought “What are we doing to these trees?” We ride over roots all the time. How are they being affected short and long term?
Replacing Tree of Heaven
I live in Eastern Washington (dry and not many big trees unless its irrigated or near a river). My neighborhood is nicely shaded by a grove of trees of heaven. Cutting them down and planting native saplings would mean losing their lovely shade and bird habitat until the saplings grew up. How would you go about replacing invasive trees without losing their benefits in the meantime? Thanks for all your fabulous knowledge!
Tree heroes?
Hello Again, you guys may have heard of Wangari Maathai, the late Kenyan human rights activist and ecosystem advocate. She started the green belt movement focused on planting trees as means of preserving habitat from desertification, encouraging water catchment and promoting human wellbeing. Do you have other tree-related heroes?
Are there useful non-natives?
Hello, Alex and Casey, really enjoying the pod. I am up in Maine and am fairly fledgling in my tree ID. I have been surprised by just how many trees are nonnative. (Norway maple, European alder, European mountain ash… etc.) Do you know of examples of non-natives which actually contribute to ecosystems? Mountain ash berries should still be available to wildlife for instance. I imagine it’s nuanced where a tree might contribute in one way while being damaging in another. Or Should I despair? And if so how much?
Leaf personification
Hi Casey and Alex! I wanted to share something I stumbled across recently reading the original Bambi story by Felix Salten. It's a short chapter where he gives the leaves voices, I thought it was an intriguing concept and wanted to hear your reactions to it. I'll email photos of the chapter. Thanks!
Plants growing to the same altitude
Hey, Casey and Alex! Cory here. You've answered a couple of my questions on the show already, and here I am with another one. It's not exactly a tree question, but it is a plant question, so I hope you'll have some insight. I have two calla lilies that grow in neighboring pots. The pots are different sizes, and the soil in one pot is a couple inches higher than the soil in the other pot. How, both plants have grown to nearly the exact same altitude. Their leaves have grown up to the same height, and the flowers to the same height a few inches above the leaves. I noticed that this morning and I'm so intrigued. Why is there this apparent agreement between these two plants to grow to the same altitude, within millimeters? Why doesn't the plant that starts from higher up at the roots grow higher up? What do these plants know that I don't? Thank you -Cory
Kelp - trees of the sea
Hi Casey and Alex, I'm wondering if you ever thought about doing an episode on kelp? Kelp is often considered to be the trees of the sea and grow in "forests." I studied marine biology in college and spent a lot of time scuba diving in the kelp forests in various parts of California. Both giant kelp (macrocystis pyrifera) and bull kelp (nerocystis luetkenea) can grow upwards of 100ft! Would love to eventually hear your take on either species. You do dive into (pun intended) so many things such as their importance for marine ecosystems, restoration efforts, urchin barrens, kelp farming, and so much more.
Toppled redwood with side branches becoming new trees?
Hi Alex and Casey! I recently went on a hike and saw a toppled over coast redwood, but still living with root attached to the ground. What it seems to me is that all the side branches become small trees! (pictures sent via email with the same title) Could this be true? Or will the top of the tree eventually take a 90 degree turn and remain the top. Thanks you all! Love the pod! Rex