Best Completely Arbortrary Podcasts (2025)

1
The Odysseed (Lotus Tree) 1:00:05

Play Pause

5d ago1:00:05

1:00:05

Hop aboard the good ship Odyssey to make for the island of the lotus tree (Diospyros lotus). But, could this be a case of mistaken idenitree?... Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find additional readin…

1
Holiday Merch Sale + Urban Trees and Racism 1:11:22

12d ago1:11:22

1:11:22

As we take a quick break we're here to remind you that our holiday merch sale ends ON BLACK FRIDAY, and reintroduce you to our talk on urban trees and racism. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find add…

1
BONUS EPISODE: Fungus in the Fall 1:10:19

19d ago1:10:19

1:10:19

As the boys take a much needed break from the wild world of modern podcasting, they present to you the audio from a 2023 livestream entitled Fungus in the Fall. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find a…

1
Splitting Facts (Weeping Juniper) 1:00:23

26d ago1:00:23

1:00:23

So many junipers, so little time. So let’s pick one! How about the weeping juniper (Juniperus flaccida)? Buckle up, it’s gonna be a bumpy one. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find additional reading …

1
Goin' Thig Mode (Fraser Fir) 1:04:51

1M ago1:04:51

1:04:51

The boys are joined by their first ever third host to discuss goin' thig mode with thigmomorphogenesis and the Fraser fir (Abies fraseri). Then, a test of Casey's binomial spelling skills with The Spelling Tree. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on …

1
Deal with the Devil (Bigleaf Magnolia) 1:09:39

1M ago1:09:39

1:09:39

BEEware of the bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla). This tree made such a strong alliance with beetles, that any other insect trying to get in gets KILLED. Then we play a Halloween edition of Family Tree! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Ins…

1
Lil' Apple Make This Horse Go Crazy (Manzanilla de la Muerte) 58:27

2M ago58:27

58:27

DO NOT TOUCH this week’s tree (Hippomane mancinella), it makes horses go crazy! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find additional reading on our website Cover art by Jillian Barthold Music by Aves and …

1
Mummy and Me (Coffintree) 51:35

2M ago51:35

51:35

We need a tall, straight, decay-resistant, fragrant wood… call THE COFFINTREE (Taiwania cryptomerioides). Why has this tree been used consistently for coffin wood?…. Nobody knows (including us!). Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find A…

1
Creature from the Black Tea Lagoon (Swamp Tupelo) 1:12:44

2M ago1:12:44

1:12:44

Out of the black tea lagoon comes a swamp monster! It’s the swamp tupelo (Nyssa biflora)—swollen butt and all—who has learned how to breathe… underwater. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find addition…

1
Sectored Architecture (Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine) 1:03:56

2M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

What if your left foot was in charge of keeping your left hand alive? What if your right big toe was responsible for the right ear? With sectored architecture, the future is now! (Actually, it's about 2000 years ago). Join us for a discussion of the Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata) and remember to use coupon code BLOWOUT for 30% off…

1
Pavlova (The Fruit That Serves Itself) 1:19:26

3M ago1:19:26

1:19:26

The maracuya, the passionfruit, the fruit that serves itself (Passiflora lindeniana) produces one of the best fruits in the world (unbiased opinion), which lends its flavor to one of the best desserts in the world (unbiased opinion). Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium M…

1
Zwetschgenkuchen (European Plum) 1:06:49

3M ago1:06:49

1:06:49

Did you save room for dessert? We're having zwetschgenkuchen, or German plum cake, made with the European plum (Prunus domestica). Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find additional reading on our websi…

1
Baesuk (Asian Pear) 1:06:01

3M ago1:06:01

1:06:01

Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) is the centerpiece of a Korean dish called baesuk; a dessert even Frankenstein would love. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find additional reading on our website Cover ar…

1
Baklava (Pistachio) 1:06:55

3M ago1:06:55

1:06:55

It's Plant Based Diet: Just Desserts, where we talk about 4 of the world's sweetest trees. First up, the pistachio! (Pistacia vera) Hear all about its origins in the Middle East and the dessert that made it famous: baklava. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Foll…

1
Buzz Pollination (Bigberry Manzanita) 1:04:18

3M ago1:04:18

1:04:18

Buzz buzz! Let’s connect some pollen the new fashioned way with the Bigberry Manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca). Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find additional reading on our website Cover art by Jil…

1
BONUS EPISODE: What is Bark? + Alex's Hawaiian Adventure 44:44

4M ago44:44

44:44

What's up Fungal Associates!? This week we have part 2 of our bonus episode fortnight and bring you "What is Bark?" Which asks the question.... well, what is bark? We'll see you next week with new episodes! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

1
BONUS EPISODE: What is Soil? + Casey's Throat Catastrophe 53:36

4M ago53:36

53:36

What's up Fungal Associates! For the next two weeks we bring you some OLD SCHOOL bonus episodes (circa 2021). Why? Well, because Casey took a frisbee to the throat, and Alex took a vacation to Hawaii. Classic! Enjoy this break as I know we will <3 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pri…

1
All Trees Go To Heaven (American Beech) 1:16:38

4M ago1:16:38

1:16:38

I think, therefore I am... a tree - American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find additional reading on our website Cover art by Jillian Barthold Music by Aves and The Mini-…

1
Keyaki (Japanese Zelkova) 1:04:58

4M ago1:04:58

1:04:58

The tree you don’t know that you know, but you know it! The Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) is the center of a fascinating tale of isolationism, plant espionage, and gunboat diplomacy. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrar…

1
Insultivar (Chokecherry) 1:03:26

5M ago1:03:26

1:03:26

Don't go chokin' on this cherry (Prunus virginiana) or else you may turn red! And Canadian! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find additional reading on our website Cover art by Jillian Barthold Music …

1
Dial M for (Maxipiñon) 54:09

5M ago54:09

54:09

A mystery cone… a mystery tree! What the maxipiñon has to say about genetic bottlenecking may unlock its secrets! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find additional reading on our website Cover art by J…

1
Zombie Survivors (Vietnam Cypress) 52:47

5M ago52:47

52:47

What happens when trees have to run for their lives and the only way is up? The Vietnam cypress (Xanthocyparis vietnamensis), that's what! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find additional reading on o…

1
There's Always Money in the (Banana Tree) 1:18:58

5M ago1:18:58

1:18:58

It’s a BANANZA with the banana (Musa acuminata), a fruit so popular that it helped shape the political landscape of the world. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find additional reading on our website C…

1
The Lean (Cook Island Pine) 57:50

6M ago57:50

57:50

Lazy, back problems, or just a Fonzie-esque casual attitude? Whatever the reason, the Cook Island pine (Araucaria columnaris) leans mysteriously toward the equator. Let’s discuss the possibilities! Then, we play a game about Filipino pines and oaks—The Filipineoak Affair. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson …

1
The New Mahogany (Ipê) 1:20:09

6M ago1:20:09

1:20:09

Introducing... TROPICAL VACATION! 🌺 a series all about tropical trees! Our first visit is Brazil, where the ipê (𝘏𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘢) reigns supreme. This tree has no shortage of strengths, quite literally! From decking to medicine, this tree has it all. Then, we play a special musical edition of The Slang Game. Completely Arbortrary is produ…

1
BONUS EPISODE: Treeasy Listening #1 1:06:41

6M ago1:06:41

1:06:41

Kick back with Casey and Alex while we play you our favorite jams from recent days. Become a Treemium Member at arbortrarypod.supercast.com to enjoy bonus episodes like this one, ad-free listening to mainline episodes, 20% off our merch store, and join the Cone Club to get monthly botanical stickers mailed directly to you! Completely Arbortrary is …

1
Parthenocarpy (Paperbark Maple) 50:36

6M ago50:36

50:36

Parthenowhatnow? Parthenocarpy! Why are 90% of the paperbark maple's (Acer griseum) infertile? Only nature knows. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find additional reading on our website Cover art by J…

1
Trunk Drawer (Governor's Plum) 57:00

6M ago57:00

57:00

It's a bit of governor's plum, innit? (Flacourtia indica) But where to put it? This wayward species finally found a home with the willows, but what happens to those unlucky species who spend their lives in the taxonomic junk drawer? Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Me…

1
Bean Leaves in Bondage (Silk Tree) 1:06:23

7M ago1:06:23

1:06:23

Let's get kinky with the silk tree (Albizia julibrissin). This beautiful tree has a very curious way of keeping its leaves close to the stem. Then we finish our game series Fight Shrub! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary …

1
Reversion Therapy (White Spruce) 53:41

7M ago53:41

53:41

What happens when a tree mutates? In the case of the white spruce (𝘗𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘢 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘤𝘢) it creates a dwarf version of itself. But that version doesn't always grow that way forever. Then, we have the second round of Fight Shrub! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow …

1
Fight Shrub (Butternut) 1:00:04

7M ago1:00:04

1:00:04

Put up your dukes, for a battle between the city, the people, and the trees. At the center is butternut (Juglans cinerea), and it's shading you, your neighbor, and your neighbor's neighbor. Then we play a new game with one rule... you do not talk about Fight Shrub. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support…

1
What a (Knobcone Pine)! 57:04

7M ago57:04

57:04

Who started the fire? It may have been the knobcone pine (Pinus attenuata) in a ditch attempt to RELEASE THE SEEDS! This curious pine has a curious way of dispersing which includes fire, cones, and cannibalism. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on I…

1
Anomalous Secondary Growth (Ombú) 43:58

8M ago43:58

43:58

Anomalous secondary growth! What in the world is it? Just ask the ombú (Phytolacca dioica), pokeweed’s tree-like cousin. It doesn’t make wood, it makes “anomalous secondary growth”, an endlessly interesting way to grow. Then, we answer a question about the perfect flower/tree pairings. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and…

1
Golden Cone Ratio (Austrian Black Pine) 55:34

8M ago55:34

55:34

The Golden Ratio: a fact of life on Earth, or an copy and pasted alien blueprint? Perhaps the answer lies in the cones of the Austrian black pine (Pinus nigra). Let’s discuss Phyllotaxis, the mathematical means by which plants remain in light. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a …

1
BONUS: Lord of the Tree Rings Marathon 4:10:20

8M ago4:10:20

4:10:20

What's up, Middle-Earthlings! Casey and I are taking a much-needed break this week, and so we present to you a hilariously massive extended edition episode that includes all three episodes of our Lord of the Tree Rings series, originally published in March of 2022. New episodes starting next week! Take care, everyone. Completely Arbortrary is produ…

1
Inside Sprout: Joy (Money Tree) 1:00:24

8M ago1:00:24

1:00:24

What makes you happy? Is it money? Or maybe it’s the money tree (Pachira aquatica). This famous houseplant is also a forest tree, so why did it become synonymous with feng shui, harmonious qi, and interior design? Then we play a new game of Happy Go Lucky! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod …

1
Inside Sprout: Sadness (Weeping Cherry) 1:17:29

9M ago1:17:29

1:17:29

What makes trees weep? Perhaps the answer lies in the aptly named weeping cherry (Prunus x subhirtella 'Pendula'). Today we talk gravitropism and why some plants just have it backward. Then, we listen to you tree-themed Beatles covers and announce the winner of THE HAT! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Su…

1
Inside Sprout: Anger (Jeffrey Pine) 1:11:12

9M ago1:11:12

1:11:12

What makes you angry? Is it the Jeffrey pine (𝘗𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘴 𝘫𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘺𝘪)? Perhaps it’s the smell, a controversial topic among tree lovers that causes all sorts of anger. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on our store Find add…

1
Inside Sprout: Fear (Silver Maple) 1:03:32

9M ago1:03:32

1:03:32

Why are we so afraid of the silver maple (Acer saccharinum)? Perhaps because of the risk involved. In today’s episode of Inside Sprout, we discuss tree risk assessment as we ask ourselves the question: if a tree falls, and no one is around to see it, is there any risk? Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Sup…

1
Inside Sprout: Disgust (Black Locust) 50:32

9M ago50:32

50:32

Welcome to Inside Sprout, a 5 part mini-series on trees that best embody and illicit our most basic human emotions. Today we start with disgust and the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). This tree is almost universally despised for its invasiveness, but has found a very important and loving niche for itself in the woodworking community. Completel…

1
Ball is Life (Rubber) 52:22

10M ago52:22

52:22

Take me out to the ball game… the one where they bounce a solid rubber (Castilla elastica) ball between their hips. Today we take it way back for a discussion about rubber (the tree) and rubber (the substance) and an ancient ballgame that’s still played today. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the …

1
Little Kid (Balsa) 46:42

10M ago46:42

46:42

The lightest wood there is, the balsa (Ochroma pyramidale) is one excited little kid. It grows fast, has ice cream cone flowers, and you can even carry it around on your shoulders! But what gives this tree the ability to grow in such a famous way? Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and becom…

1
The Chipko Movement (Banj Oak) 1:04:25

10M ago1:04:25

1:04:25

In the second part of our eco-feminism series, we discuss the Chipko movement, a practical manifestation of eco-feminist ideologies out of India. Author/activist Vandana Shiva makes an appearance, as does the Banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora). Then, we play a medieval edition of the Slang Game. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Case…

1
Parent Earth (Sitka Spruce) 53:44

10M ago53:44

53:44

What makes a tree innately "feminine"? We can't explain it, but we can roughly explain eco-feminism, and how it affects our opinions of, and behaviors toward, Mother Nature and the sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.…

1
Low-Hanging Fruit (Jaboticaba) 1:03:13

10M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

Oh, what fun is the jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora) with it’s curiously growing fruit. Learn about this tree before diving headlong into a discussion about temperate vs. tropical fruit! Who be will victorious? Then, we have not one but TWO taste tests! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and b…

1
Clickbait Tree (Walking Palm) 1:02:46

11M ago1:02:46

1:02:46

The tree that walks! (not really) The walking palm (Socratea exorrhiza) is beloved by Tik-Tok clickbait content creators for its astounding ability to “walk”. But is its fame a double-edged sword? Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find …

1
Ironheart (ʻŌhiʻa Lehua) 1:09:43

11M ago1:09:43

1:09:43

ʻŌhiʻa Lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) is Hawaii's most populous tree, and perhaps its most adaptable! For a tree that grows on literal lava flows, this tree has no shortage of interesting qualities that make it one of the most fascinating trees we've ever discussed! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Suppo…

1
Artificial Instemination (Florida Torreya) 1:09:54

11M ago1:09:54

1:09:54

Happy 2025! Let’s start with a tree so out of time and place that it’s suffering the most endangered situation of any conifer in the world. Then, we play a game that teaches you how to avoid non-tree conversations. Welcome to Season 8. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium…

1
SEEDPOD: Whittlin' with Justin Davies 1:10:21

11M ago1:10:21

1:10:21

Today we whittle spoons alongside woodworking gem Justin Davies, and hear about Justin's dos-and-dont's while carving, how he got into the hobby, and where it's taking him next! Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instagram Find Arbortrary merch on…

1
Christmas in Australia (Moodjar) 1:17:30

12M ago1:17:30

1:17:30

Merry Christmas! Let’s gather ‘round the Moodjar (Nuytsia floribunda). But look out, this fascinating tree has a few quirks that make it an expert parasite. Then we play a game, The Mood Jar! See you 2025. Completely Arbortrary is produced and hosted by Casey Clapp and Alex Crowson Support the pod and become a Treemium Member Follow along on Instag…