The Meaning of Trees Podcast
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
Episodes
28 episodes
Deep Time Forest Researcher - Elena Pearce - E28
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 ou...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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37:05
Big Tree Hunter - Fred Breglia (@bigtreehunters) - E27
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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46:46
Ancient Tree Ecologist - Vikki Bengtsson (@vikjben) - E26
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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44:19
Artist & Father - Luke Adam Hawker (@lukeadamhawker) - E25
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 sto...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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52:43
Groundbreakers Author / Wild Boar Specialist - Chantal Lyons (@chantalslyons) - E24
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’ specia...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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48:16
Indigenous Mental Health Advocate - Meli Tanuku - E23
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 mu...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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25:53
The Mythical Seacraft - *Fiji Mini Feature* - E22
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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15:10
Ministry of Forestry Official - Sanjana Lal - E21
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 inhabi...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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26:01
Intangible Heritage Protector - Simione Sevudredre - E20
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 valu...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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48:58
Sentinels Film Videographer - Pita Yee (@woahstudiosfj) - E19
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 Her...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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54:04
The Meaning of Trees Podcast Creator - Tom Hill (@themeaningoftreespodcast) - E18
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 Podca...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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59:10
Tree Doctor - Reg Harris (@reg.harris) - E17
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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55:57
The Heart of the Woods Author - Wyl Menmuir (@wylmenmuir) - E16
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 Anke...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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48:06
Rainforest Ecologist - Dr Cecilia Chavana-Bryant - E15
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 del...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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39:37
Forester, Farmer, Thinker - Sir Harry Studholme - E14
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 w...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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38:08
Influencer / Tree Specialist - Cheryl Silvawood (@inalandofgiants.blog) - E13
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 del...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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39:44
Blind Woodland Jogger - Mick Duplock - E12
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 goin...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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35:00
Climate Justice Poet - Liba Ravindran (@libaravindran) - E11
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 differ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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54:38
Veteran Tree Activist - Jill Butler - (@jillbutler894) - E10
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 nat...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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27:48
Kew’s Head of Tree Collections / Climate Researcher - Kevin Martin (@headoftrees.kew) - E9
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 m...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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48:06
Divine Feminine & Wellbeing Coach - Anita Prasad-Willems - E8
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 s...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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36:38
Ancient Tree Pilgrim / Woodland Trust Advisor - Martin Hügi (@tree.pilgrim)- E7
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 maj...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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37:49
Wilderness Cure Author / Full-Time Forager - Mo Wilde (@monicawilde) - E6
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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43:11
Knepp Rewilding Ranger - Tom Burns (@Rustic_Ranger) - E5
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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39:11
Guitar Maker & Music Lover - Rosie Heydenrych (@turnstoneguitar) - E4
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 timbe...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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33:28