Rephonic
Artwork for This Old Tree

This Old Tree

Doug Still
Emancipation Oak
Emancipation Proclamation
Franklin Tree
Ginkgo Biloba
Buddhism
Kabir
Kabirwad Banyan Tree
Monumental Trees Network
Mary Peake
Łódź
Fabrikant Oak
Mulberry Tree
Bartram's Garden
John Bartram
Mulberry
Gu Guanyin Buddhist Temple
Emperor Taizong Of Tang
Arboriculture
Hampton University
Civil War

Old trees are awe inspiring links to the past that fire our imagination. What are their stories? Seasoned arborist and amateur historian Doug Still interviews local experts, historians, and regular folks to celebrate the myths and uncover the real tales. If you're a tree lover, join in to look "beyond the plaque" at heritage trees and the human stories behind them. Monthly.

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Artwork for This Old Tree

Latest Episodes

Sa Melabrina is a Downy Oak tree the size of a small church, draped in moss and ferns. Her ancient arms spread wide in the surrounding forest near Illorai, Sardinia. She's the oldest and largest of her kind in all of Europe. And she's been standing h... more

In the small Estonian town of Orissaare, football players dribble around a 150-year-old oak tree standing impossibly in the middle of their soccer field or "stadium." What seems like a quirky local oddity became a symbol of national pride when this t... more

What happens when six arborists come down from the trees to step behind the mic? Find out by listening to this special episode of stories by tree professionals told LIVE in front of an audience at the annual conference of the New England Chapter of t... more

High up in California's Sierra Nevada mountains stands the largest tree on earth by volume - the General Sherman Tree. The famous giant sequoia has captivated millions of visitors, but few know the rich tapestry of stories woven around its massive tr... more

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Recent Guests

Gianluca Grande
Mayor of Illorai, organizer of the Monumental Trees conference
Municipality of Illorai
Episode: Sa Melabrina and Sardinia's Monumental Trees
Gianluigi Bacchetta
Professor of Botany and Conservation Biology
University of Colliery (University of Cagliari-related)
Episode: Sa Melabrina and Sardinia's Monumental Trees
Graziano Nudda
Arborist who saved Sa Melabrina from being cut
Local forestry service/arborist in Sardinia
Episode: Sa Melabrina and Sardinia's Monumental Trees
Carlo Poddi
Arborist; performed sonic tomography on Sa Melabrina
Arborist in Sardinia
Episode: Sa Melabrina and Sardinia's Monumental Trees
Ignazio Camarda
Botanist and poet; noted for works on Sardinian flora
University/Botanical studies in Sardinia
Episode: Sa Melabrina and Sardinia's Monumental Trees
Aliide Naylor
British-Estonian journalist and author
Independent/Author of The Shadow in the East
Episode: On Defense: Estonia's Stadium Oak
Heiki Hanso
Estonian arborist and local steward of the Stadium Oak
Hanso Tree Care/Orissaare Sports School arborist
Episode: On Defense: Estonia's Stadium Oak
Andla Rüütel
Manager of Orissaare Sports School
Orissaare Youth Sports Centre
Episode: On Defense: Estonia's Stadium Oak
Heidi Singleton
Storyteller; arborist
New England ISA
Episode: Arborists Live: Our Tree Stories

Host

Doug Still
Host of This Old Tree

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 75 ratings
  • Brilliant Heartfelt Important

    This Old Tree is one of the best podcasts. The research is superb. Doug Still is an intelligent , thoughtful and inviting host.

    Focusing on one tree and its impact on people and communities surrounding it connects each of us to these individual trees. Like the Wood Wide Web itself, these tales nurture human connections.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Steve Scher
    United States2 months ago
  • love it

    wonderful stories about a wide and diverse number of trees all over the world. The host is really excellent. I hope there are plenty more podcast coming. I really like the shorts which he does a collection of every year.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    coastalcalgal
    United States2 months ago
  • Excellent podcast about old trees

    This podcast is so well done. The research and interviews are perfectly balanced with info about a famous tree and its history. The music is fun. I really enjoy listening.

    I hope there will be more. I’ve listened to all episodes and now repeating. Good job.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cdonaldtx
    United States4 months ago
  • THE Tree-Lover’s Podcast!

    I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every episode of this thoughtfully produced, highly informative and lovingly presented podcast about old trees and the peoples/cultures who care for them. If you love trees, you’re sure to love this podcast…the trees are absolutely amazing and Doug is a gem of a host!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sitarsrini
    United States7 months ago
  • Thoughtful, interesting, well-produced

    Very high quality production that makes listening a pleasure. Doug is a great host who brings in other experts to liven the history, politics, and culture of special and controversial trees. I especially loved the recent episode about “the tree that owns itself.”

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Smokeyllama
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the high production quality and the engaging storytelling format, often highlighting the warmth and expertise of the host.
The podcast is viewed as a top-notch resource for tree lovers, with listeners expressing joy over the detailed exploration of tree-related history and significance.
Many reviews mention the satisfying blend of historical context and personal anecdotes regarding trees, making each episode both educational and relatable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#190
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#190
India/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#197
Ireland/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The General Sherman Tree: First Encounters
Q: What makes the General Sherman Tree so special beyond its size?
Its significance comes from a combination of biological traits, historical storytelling, and cultural impact; the tree embodies a long history of conservation, indigenous relationships with the forest, and the way society names and honors its natural landmarks.
On Defense: Estonia's Stadium Oak
Q: What role did Aliide Naylor play in shaping the episode, and what broader themes does she bring?
She provided historical and folkloric context about Estonia's religious and cultural history, helping connect the tree's local significance to broader Baltic identity and pre-Christian traditions.
On Defense: Estonia's Stadium Oak
Q: How did the Stadium Oak become the focus of Estonian memory and national identity?
Through a combination of local lore (the 1940s tractor story), ongoing community use, and strategic public relations led by the tree's caretaker, Heiki Hanso, culminating in a viral campaign that captured national pride and international attention.
S'Ozzastru and the Ancient Olive Trees of Sardinia
Q: How do researchers estimate the age of Sotsastru without harming it?
Experts rely on comparing the tree with other nearby ancient wild olives and study growth patterns; they avoid coring due to the tree's irregular trunk and potential damage, and instead use non-invasive methods and historical context to estimate age.
The Ginkgo at Gu Guanyin Buddhist Temple
Q: Peter, how were you first drawn to the study of ginkgo trees?
Peter became interested in ginkgo while working at the Arnold Arboretum, where his initial research about the tree evolved into his PhD dissertation.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Old Tree

What is This Old Tree about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the deep cultural, historical, and ecological significance of old trees, the content features interviews with experts such as historians, botanists, and local enthusiasts. Each episode uncovers engaging narratives that link flora with human history, from ancient myths to contemporary stories about tree conservation. With an emphasis on heritage trees, listeners can expect to find themes of environmentalism, personal connections to nature, and the intricate tales that trees carry, crafted through Doug Still's storytelling skills and sound design.

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Which podcasts are similar to This Old Tree?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Old Tree:

1. Completely Arbortrary
2. The Moth
3. MARGARET ROACH A WAY TO GARDEN
4. This American Life
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of This Old Tree are there?

This Old Tree launched 4 years ago and published 36 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on This Old Tree?

Recent guests on This Old Tree include:

1. Gianluca Grande
2. Gianluigi Bacchetta
3. Graziano Nudda
4. Carlo Poddi
5. Ignazio Camarda
6. Aliide Naylor
7. Heiki Hanso
8. Andla Rüütel

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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