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
--------
44:48
--------
44:48
Heritage Trees Specialist - Julian Hight - E35
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
--------
49:07
--------
49:07
Tree Architecturalist - Tom Joye - E34
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
--------
56:27
--------
56:27
Rainforest Communicator - Alejandra Hart - E33
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
--------
47:27
--------
47:27
Worm Guy - Kevin Chase - E32
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
The Meaning of Trees Podcast explores the many ways that trees remain quietly essential to all our lives today.Tree Specialist, Tom Hill, uncovers his guests' personal histories with trees and forests, investigates our basic human dependency upon them and shines a light on how they continue to connect us to each other and to other living things.https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast
UK