RECAP - CW 17/2025

This is your weekly summary of the Talking Trees podcast!

🌱 Monday 142 - Easter and Tree Traditions
We explored the symbolic connections between Easter celebrations and trees, highlighting the Tree of Life, Slavic spring rituals, and the deep-rooted relationship between seasonal traditions and nature.

🧗 Tuesday 143 - Ely’s London Plane – Earth Day
We celebrated Earth Day by focusing on the conservation efforts for the Great London Plane of Ely, a heritage tree preserved through expert arboricultural practices and community collaboration.

✂️ Wednesday 144 - Severe Pruning and Ecoservices
We examined how severe pruning impacts urban trees’ ability to regulate microclimates and provide ecosystem services, emphasizing the benefits of moderate, frequent pruning for long-term tree health.

📋 Thursday 145 - Fire, Humans and Trees
This episode reflected on humanity's ancient relationship with fire, its role in shaping both human evolution and our interactions with trees, from forest management to environmental impacts.

✨ Friday 146 - ASCA – Arbor Day
On Arbor Day, we highlighted the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) and the crucial role consulting arborists play in preserving trees through science-based assessments and professional guidance.

🐝 Saturday 147 - Allergenicity and Trees
We explored how urban trees contribute to airborne pollen levels, the effects of climate change on allergenic pollen production, and strategies for allergen-aware urban greening.

Keep listening and growing with Talking Trees!

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Talking Trees Recap
• 1:22 Cultural Traditions and Tree Monitoring
• 2:38 Urban Pruning Research and Practices
• 4:10 Fire Ecology and Consulting Arborists
• 6:27 Allergen Research in Urban Greenery
• 7:28 Practical Applications for Arborists
• 10:46 Final Thoughts and Taking Action

Transcript

Roger: 0:02

Talking Trees with Lily and Jad. Welcome to Talking Trees. Recap your weekly journey through the diverse world of urban nature and culture. This week we traveled from ancient traditions to modern science. Join us as we revisit these compelling stories and discover the interconnected threads that shape our urban forests. And discover the interconnected threads that shape our urban forests.

Jad: 0:29

All right, welcome back everybody. We're going to jump right into our weekly deep dive into talking trees.

Lilly: 0:42

Lot to cover, as always, but we're going to focus on what matters most to you as professional arborists. You know it's really impressive the range of topics they managed to squeeze into a single week. I mean, we had everything this time ancient traditions, high tech, tree monitoring.

Roger: 0:53

Yeah.

Lilly: 0:54

We even touched on fire ecology, quite a week.

Jad: 0:57

Yeah, Honestly, when I saw that Monday episode, the one on Easter and spring equinox traditions, I was like yeah really, is this relevant? You know, I mean we're practical people, deal with real world tree issues.

Lilly: 1:09

Yeah, I get it. I had the same thought initially. But then that segment on Pysanky eggs you know the decorated ones it really caught me thinking, all these intricate symbols. They represent rebirth, mother earth. It all ties into how people have always valued trees and still do.

Jad: 1:24

So you're saying there's a connection there that we can actually use, I mean.

Lilly: 1:27

Oh, absolutely. It's all about understanding that deep cultural history. It helps us explain why trees matter so much to people, gives us a stronger foundation when we're advocating for their protection or care.

Jad: 1:38

Okay, I can see that Now. Tuesday's episode. That was definitely more in our wheelhouse.

Lilly: 1:42

The London plane tree in Eakley, right oh yeah, that episode was packed with useful stuff More physiological assessments, sensor monitoring. It's amazing what they're doing to preserve these historic trees.

Jad: 1:52

It all sounds pretty high tech, though Is that stuff really feasible for the average arborist out there? It's got to be expensive.

Lilly: 1:58

You know, maybe not for every job, but honestly, this technology is probably where the whole industry is heading. It's worth learning about, even if you're not ready to invest right now.

Jad: 2:07

Yeah, just to be aware of what's coming.

Lilly: 2:09

Exactly and think about the possibilities. Imagine giving your clients super detailed data about their trees. You know, early detection of decay stress points that's huge for risk management sets you apart.

Jad: 2:21

True being able to prevent problems before they become disasters.

Lilly: 2:24

Exactly.

Jad: 2:25

That's got to be worth a lot to some clients.

Lilly: 2:27

Absolutely. And don't forget, they mentioned the Arbor Cultural Association website during the episode.

Jad: 2:31

Right right.

Lilly: 2:32

Tons of information there about these techniques, training opportunities, networking, all that good stuff.

Jad: 2:38

Okay, so Wednesday's episode was all about urban tree pruning, which always sparks debate, right it?

Lilly: 2:43

does. But the research they presented it was really interesting. It kind of challenges those old assumptions about heavy pruning.

Jad: 2:49

Oh, like how much we should actually be taking off.

Lilly: 2:51

Yeah, turns out going too hard with the pruning can actually be counterproductive, you know, when it comes to providing shade, regulating temperature, even the tree's growth patterns.

Jad: 3:02

So what less is more then?

Lilly: 3:05

Seems that way. Yeah, I mean, obviously every situation is different, but this research backs up a more balanced approach. You know, frequent but lighter trims.

Jad: 3:12

I can overhear some of my clients now, but I want my trees perfectly shaped.

Lilly: 3:15

Right, but that's where communication comes in. We can explain the science, show them how this approach actually benefits the tree in the long run.

Jad: 3:22

I'm also going to have to start talking to clients about the carbon footprint of wood disposal after listening to that episode.

Lilly: 3:28

It's one of those things that's easy to overlook, but it matters right Choosing eco-friendly disposal methods. It's all part of sustainable arboriculture.

Jad: 3:36

Absolutely Okay. Thursday's episode I'm going to be honest the one about early humans and the discovery of fire. I wasn't sure how that related to us.

Lilly: 3:43

Right, it seems a bit out there, but it's all about the bigger picture, understanding how Fife has shaped ecosystems over time. That's essential for modern forest management, especially with climate change and wildfire risk.

Jad: 3:55

So we're not just talking about controlled burns here.

Lilly: 3:58

Not necessarily. It's more about recognizing that fire is a natural process and our practices need to account for that. You know, we can't look at trees in isolation.

Jad: 4:09

I see the connection now. Okay, on Friday they shifted gears again, focused on consulting arborists.

Lilly: 4:14

Yeah, they did a good job of explaining the difference between a regular certified arborist and a registered consulting arborist, an RCA.

Jad: 4:21

Yeah, I was really interested in the legal aspects they talked about. Seems like becoming an RCA is a smart move, especially if you're dealing with big projects or you know potential lawsuits.

Lilly: 4:30

Definitely, it's a way to demonstrate your expertise and honestly protect yourself in those tricky situations.

Jad: 4:35

Right, right. Plus, they highlighted ASCA, the American Society of Consulting Arborists, as a great resource.

Lilly: 4:41

Oh, yeah, ASCA's got tons of information for anyone interested in that path Training, ethical guidelines, networking opportunities the whole nine yards.

Jad: 4:48

All right. Last but not least, we have Saturday's episode. They tackled urban greenery, climate change and something I never thought about allergen production.

Lilly: 4:56

Yeah, that was a fascinating one. They highlighted some research that's been done on how different urban green spaces contribute to pollen levels. They even talked about this index called IUGZA.

Jad: 5:05

IUGA.

Lilly: 5:06

Yeah, it's used to assess the allergenic potential of different areas. Pretty cool stuff.

Jad: 5:10

So are you saying we can actually select trees that are less likely to trigger allergies?

Lilly: 5:15

That's the idea. This research is giving us tools to plan and manage urban forests in a way that minimizes allergy risks but still maximizes all the benefits of green space.

Jad: 5:26

Okay, that's huge. I'm already thinking about how I can use this with my clients.

Lilly: 5:29

Right. It's about staying ahead of the curve, understanding these connections between urban greenery, climate change and human health.

Jad: 5:36

Yeah, it's like we're not just planting trees anymore, we're shaping the whole urban ecosystem.

Lilly: 5:40

Exactly, and that's an exciting place to be Lots of responsibility, but also incredible potential to make a positive impact.

Jad: 5:47

All right. So that was our whirlwind tour of talking trees this week. They really covered a lot of ground, from ancient history to cutting edge science and everything in between.

Lilly: 5:55

They did, and it just goes to show how diverse and dynamic our field is.

Jad: 5:59

Yeah, lots of us to think about and digest.

Lilly: 6:01

Absolutely. So where do we go from here? How do we take all this information and actually apply it to our work, make it meaningful?

Jad: 6:07

That's the million dollar question, isn't it? And I think that's what we'll dig into in the next part of our deep dive.

Lilly: 6:12

Sounds good to me. Let's take a quick break and then come back ready to explore the practical implications of all these insights.

Jad: 6:17

Okay, so we spent the first part of our deep dive kind of laying out everything that Talking Treats covered this week Angel traditions, high-tech, tree care, fire ecology. It was a lot.

Lilly: 6:27

It was, and I think it's easy to get caught up in all the details and lose sight of the bigger picture.

Jad: 6:33

Yeah, for sure.

Lilly: 6:33

Which is, you know, how do we actually take all this information and turn it into action?

Jad: 6:37

Exactly so. Let's try to bridge that gap. Ok, we talked about those cultural connections to trees. How can we use that? I mean practically speaking, when we're out there talking to clients, community groups?

Lilly: 6:47

I think it starts with how we communicate. You know, instead of just throwing around technical terms, talking about crown dieback or root systems Right we can try to connect with people on a deeper level.

Jad: 6:56

Okay.

Lilly: 6:56

Tap into those historical and symbolic meanings, help them understand that trees have been revered for centuries, you know, for a reason.

Jad: 7:04

So like weaving those cultural narratives into our explanations.

Lilly: 7:08

Exactly, it's about making that emotional connection Correct.

Jad: 7:18

You know, when someone understands that a tree isn't just a piece of the landscape, but like a living link to history and culture, they're going to be more likely to value it, want to protect it. Okay, that makes sense. Now switching gears a bit. What about all that technology, the more physiological assessments, sensor monitoring? Is that stuff we should be investing in now?

Lilly: 7:29

You know, I think for a lot of smaller arborist businesses the cost might be a hurdle right now.

Jad: 7:35

Yeah, it's got to be expensive.

Lilly: 7:36

It is, but I do think this is the direction the field is moving in. It's worth staying informed about those advancements.

Jad: 7:41

Even if we can't afford it right now.

Lilly: 7:43

Yeah, and maybe start thinking about how it could benefit your specific services. Imagine being able to offer your clients this incredibly detailed data about their tree's health. Early detection of problems Right, talk about a competitive advantage.

Jad: 7:57

Yeah, no, I get it Okay that pruning research, the less intensive approach. How do we I mean, how do we convince clients who are used to that? You know, perfectly manicured look.

Lilly: 8:06

Yeah, that's going to be a challenge for some people. I think education is key. We have to explain the science behind it.

Jad: 8:11

Okay.

Lilly: 8:12

Show them how. Those heavy trumes yeah, they might look good in the short term, but they actually make the tree weaker over time.

Jad: 8:17

And instead we're going for those more frequent lighter prunings.

Lilly: 8:21

Exactly it's about long-term health and resilience.

Jad: 8:23

Right, right. We got to get better at explaining all that.

Lilly: 8:26

We do, and don't forget about the ecosystem services angle. You know, a denser canopy means more shade, better temperature regulation even helps absorb pollutants.

Jad: 8:36

All good selling points.

Lilly: 8:37

They are, and remember that carbon footprint conversation we had. That's another way to frame those less intensive practices.

Jad: 8:44

Right, right. We're minimizing waste being more eco-friendly.

Lilly: 8:47

Exactly Ties into that whole sustainability movement.

Jad: 8:50

Okay, fire ecology. We obviously can't do controlled burns in most urban areas. But what can we actually do with that knowledge?

Lilly: 8:57

I think the takeaway is understanding that fire risk is always there and we have to be proactive, so managing fuel loads, choosing fire resistant species when we can and educating people about fire safety.

Jad: 9:08

So making our tree care plans more fire-wise.

Lilly: 9:11

Exactly and being prepared to adapt as climate change increases those risks. We have to think about those bigger forces that are shaping the landscape.

Jad: 9:19

Yeah, that episode got me thinking about the whole ecosystem, not just individual trees.

Lilly: 9:23

Absolutely, it's all connected.

Jad: 9:25

Okay, and we can't forget about the whole consulting arborist thing. Getting that RCA credential that sounds like a smart move for some people.

Lilly: 9:31

It definitely can be, especially if you're dealing with, like big construction projects, complicated legal stuff, high value trees, that expertise is in demand.

Jad: 9:40

And ASCA is the place to go if you're interested in that.

Lilly: 9:43

Oh yeah, they have all the resources you need Training, certification, ethical guidelines, a whole community of experienced consulting arborists.

Jad: 9:50

OK, good to know. And last but not least, those allergen-conscious tree selections.

Lilly: 9:54

That's huge right, Especially with so many people dealing with allergies.

Jad: 9:58

It is. We could practically market it as enjoy your beautiful landscape without the sneezing.

Lilly: 10:03

Right. It's a real selling point and it shows that we're not just thinking about aesthetics, but people's health and well-being.

Jad: 10:09

Okay, so we've covered a lot of ground, gone from theory to practice. Any final thoughts before we wrap things up.

Lilly: 10:15

I think the biggest thing to remember is that this field is always changing. We have to stay curious, keep learning and be willing to adapt.

Jad: 10:22

Yeah, I agree, this week's Talking Trees definitely gave us a lot to chew on. Hopefully it's got our listeners thinking about how they can be more than just tree care providers, how they can be leaders and innovators in the field.

Lilly: 10:34

Well said. And with that, I think we're ready to move on to the final part of our deep dive, where we can explore some specific strategies for putting all this into practice and taking our arboricolor game to the next level.

Jad: 10:45

Okay, so we've been through a lot in this deep dive into talking trees. We've looked at ancient traditions, cutting-edge science, the real-world challenges we face as arborists, but now it's time to you know, get down to brass tacks. How do we actually put all this knowledge to work?

Lilly: 10:58

That's the question, isn't it? It's great to be informed, but we've got to make it actionable. Talking trees gave us a ton of information, but it's up to us to you know, figure out how to apply it.

Jad: 11:07

Exactly so. Let's brainstorm a little. We talked about those cultural connections, the stories people tell about trees. How do we bring that into our day-to-day work?

Lilly: 11:15

Well, I think we can start by, you know, doing a little homework ourselves. What's the history of trees in our area? Are there local legends, you know, folklore, historical events tied to specific trees?

Jad: 11:26

Yeah, good point. We could even like look into how trees have been used in art and literature, music even.

Lilly: 11:32

Exactly Imagine sharing a poem about like an oak tree with a client. It could really spark their imagination, help them connect with the tree on a deeper level.

Jad: 11:40

I like that. It's not just about the technical stuff, it's about tapping into those emotions.

Lilly: 11:44

Exactly OK. But speaking of the technical stuff, what about all that high tech equipment? We can't all afford to invest in the latest gadgets, so how do we stay current?

Jad: 11:52

Yeah, it's expensive.

Lilly: 11:53

It is, but there are ways to stay informed Conferences, workshops, webinars there's tons of continuing education out there.

Jad: 12:01

Okay, good point, and maybe we can start small. You know, invest in one new diagnostic tool, a software program that gives us more data.

Lilly: 12:08

Exactly Little by little, we can upgrade our practices, offer more advanced services.

Jad: 12:12

Right, okay, pruning we talked about the less intensive approach. How do we actually make that shift? A lot of clients are used to that like perfectly manicured look.

Lilly: 12:19

Yeah, that's going to be a challenge for some. I think it comes down to education explaining the science in a way that makes sense. Show them, the research, the data that supports this approach.

Jad: 12:28

And be patient. I guess it might take some time for people to come around.

Lilly: 12:32

It might, but the more we talk about the benefits healthier trees, more ecosystem services, less environmental impact the more it'll sink in.

Jad: 12:40

We can also lead by example. Show them what a well-maintained, lightly pruned tree actually looks like.

Lilly: 12:46

Right. Let the results speak for themselves, and you know testimonials are powerful. If you have clients who are happy with this approach, ask them to share their experience.

Jad: 12:54

Okay, fire ecology, we can't do controlled burns in the city. But how do we put that knowledge to use?

Lilly: 13:00

Well, I think we need to educate ourselves first. What's the fire history of our region? Which tree species are most at risk?

Jad: 13:06

Okay.

Lilly: 13:07

And then incorporate that into our tree care plans. Choose fire resistant species. When we can Prune to reduce fuel loads, make sure there's good spacing between trees, right?

Jad: 13:16

Create those defensible spaces.

Lilly: 13:17

Exactly. Even in urgent areas, we need to be thinking about fire safety.

Jad: 13:21

Okay, consulting arborists Becoming an RCA, that sounds like a good career move for some folks.

Lilly: 13:26

It can be. If you're interested, I'd say do your homework, talk to other RCAs, go to SCA events, really understand what the certification involves.

Jad: 13:34

And Askin's got tons of resources right.

Lilly: 13:36

They do Training, certification, ethical guidelines, networking they've got it all.

Jad: 13:41

Okay, last thing Allergen-conscious tree selection. That's a game changer, especially for clients with allergies.

Lilly: 13:47

It is, and it's something we can all start incorporating into our work. First, we need to educate ourselves. There are great resources online Organizations like the American Academy of Allergy, asthma and Immunology. They have tons of information, and then we can use that knowledge to guide our planting recommendations, even create custom landscape designs that minimize allergy risks.

Jad: 14:07

Yeah, we can choose less allergenic cultivars, prune strategically during allergy season. There are a lot of options.

Lilly: 14:13

Exactly, it's about being proactive and thoughtful in our approach and honestly, I think that sums up this whole deep dive.

Jad: 14:20

Yeah, it does.

Lilly: 14:20

We need to be informed, adaptable and always looking for ways to improve our practices.

Jad: 14:26

I agree. Talking trees gave us a lot to think about this week. Hopefully it's inspired everyone listening to step up their game. We're not just tree car providers. We're leaders, we're innovators, we're advocates for a greener world.

Lilly: 14:36

Well said and I think that's a perfect note to end on. Remember every action counts Planting a tree, educating a client, advocating for change we can all make a difference.

Jad: 14:44

Absolutely so. Go out there, spread the word and keep growing.

Roger: 14:50

Thank you for joining us on this week's Talking Trees recap. We've journeyed through ancient traditions, innovative tree care, urban pruning science, the origins of fire, the evolving role of consulting arborists and the impact of climate change on allergenic pollen. If you enjoyed today's episode, subscribe to our full series at wwwheroherococom Talking Trees to stay connected with all our stories. Until next time, keep exploring and nurturing the green around you. You.