Free Daily Podcast Summary
This Old Tree: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Doug Still
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 community people to celebrate the myths and uncover the real tales. If you're a tree lover, look "beyond the plaque" at heritage trees and the human stories behind them.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 weeks ago1h 2m
El Árbol del Tule: Oaxaca's Axis Mundi
In the small town of Santa María del Tule, in the heart of Oaxaca, Mexico, stands a Montezuma Cypress more than 2,000 years old. Its trunk is considered the widest of any tree on Earth. For over a millennium, the Tule Tree has drawn visitors: the Zapotec, Mixe, and Mixtec peoples who revered it, Spanish colonizers, and traders from across Mesoamerica. Today, travelers from around the world make it a tourist destination. In this episode, host Doug Still sits down in the tree's shade with the t...
- Aug 10, 20261h 2m
The Washington Monument Mulberry
A lone mulberry tree stands beside the Washington Monument. It is curious, unexpected, and impossible to ignore once you notice it. Who planted it? Is it historic? Is it one tree or two? Why is it preserved, when there is no other tree on the immediate grounds? D.C. tree tour guide Sam Nelson chased down the answers, found in a 2014 government report. The author is landscape historian Jonathan Pliska, who also wrote A Garden for the President: A History of the White House Gardens. ...
- Jul 13, 202659 min
Kongeegen, or "The King's Oak"
Kongeegen, or the 1,500 year old “King’s Oak,” is deep inside a forest called Jægerspris Nordskov in Denmark. The tree is named after 19th century King Frederik VII, who owned a nearby castle with his wife, the Countess Danner. It is a national treasure and one of northern Europe’s oldest living oak trees. Getting there meant a two-mile hike through the woods with guests Anders Jensen of the Danish Tree Association and forest historian Helle Serup of The Green Museum. They tell the bio...
- May 5, 20261h 2m
Sa Melabrina and Sardinia's Monumental Trees
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 here in these mountains for nine centuries. What she symbolizes is even greater than her beauty. The town’s mayor organized a remarkable conference drawing scientists, conservationists, and community leaders from across Sardinia and beyond, all uni...
- Dec 31, 20251h 4m
On Defense: Estonia's Stadium Oak
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 tree won the 2015 European Tree of the Year, beating much larger countries like Hungary, Spain, and the UK. How did an unknown Estonian oak outcompete all of Europe? The answer involves brilliant PR, ancient folklore, a fierce independence forged ...
- Nov 27, 20251h 0m
Arborists Live: Our Tree Stories
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 the International Society of Arboriculture. Where does the adrenaline come from? What barriers have been climbed? What drives them, ropes and harness in hand? Hear what arborists say about defining moments in their careers, their struggles, ...
- Oct 27, 20251h 8m
The General Sherman Tree: First Encounters
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 trunk. Join us as we explore the “Giant Forest” of Sequoia National Park with former park ranger and author William C. Tweed. From the indigenous Monache and Yokuts who first walked among these giants, to ambitious Euro-American explorers like John ...
- Aug 24, 20251h 5m
S'Ozzastru and the Ancient Olive Trees of Sardinia
Some trees are old — and then there's S’Ozzastru. Nestled near the village of Luras on the island of Sardinia, this ancient olive tree has stood for nearly 4,000 years. Also known as "The Great Patriarch" or "The Patriarch of Nature," the bronze age tree is a living witness to the rise and fall of civilizations. How has it endured for millennia? Who, across the centuries, has found shelter beneath its branches? And will the millennial olive trees of Sardinia continue to survive? Join us as we...
Get This Old Tree summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Clever Trees
Richard Uridge
In Defense of Plants Podcast
Explores the fascinating world of plants, from tiny duckweeds to towering redwoods, celebrating the science and wonder of botany.
The Forest Garden
Discusses forest gardening, permaculture, and regenerative design through interviews with practitioners and experts.
The Plant Report- Every Plant Has A Story
Explores the botanical world through stories about plants, herbal medicine, heirloom seeds, and human connections to plant life.
Ologies with Alie Ward
Alie Ward interviews scientists about their fields, from volcanoes to slug sex, blending humor and curiosity to explore how the world works.
Terrestrials
Nature stories that reveal surprising animal and plant behaviors through immersive, family-friendly audio adventures.
Black in the Garden
Explores the intersection of Black culture and gardening through conversations about plants, identity, and community.
The Wild with Chris Morgan
Explores wildlife and wild places through stories of animals adapting to survive and the people protecting them.
Forest 404
A woman discovers a recording of a vanished forest, confronting ecological loss and memory in a future without nature.
The Ancient Tradition
Explores evidence of a primordial religious tradition across ancient myths, symbols, rituals, and sacred texts worldwide.
Myths and Legends
Retells global myths and legends, from Arthur to Aladdin, with origins and tales reimagined for modern listeners.
Scotland Outdoors
A topical guide to outdoor life in Scotland.
About This Old Tree
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 community people to celebrate the myths and uncover the real tales. If you're a tree lover, look "beyond the plaque" at heritage trees and the human stories behind them.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from This Old Tree in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's This Old Tree daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of This Old Tree as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the This Old Tree podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official This Old Tree product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Doug Still.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does This Old Tree release new episodes?
This Old Tree publishes occasional. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does This Old Tree cover?
This Old Tree covers topics including Science, Nature. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting This Old Tree summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.