¶ Exploring Trees
Talking Trees with Lily and Jad . Welcome to this week's recap episode , where we're diving into a range of topics focused on the world of trees , from biology and structure to their care and practical applications .
This week we covered fascinating insights into the macroscopic and microscopic structure of wood , the standards for arborist certification in Europe , the environmental benefits of urban forests and critical approaches to tree assessment for safety . Let's review these highlights and look at how each topic contributes to our understanding and stewardship of trees .
Welcome back everyone . This week we've been on this deep dive exploring trees .
Yeah , using all the interesting sources you sent us .
Exactly Like . Remember that study on the effects of trees in Mediterranean cities .
Oh yeah , that was a good one .
Yeah , and all that stuff about those European tree worker certifications .
The ETW stuff .
Yeah , it's been a wild ride from like the way wood is structured .
Down to the microscopic level . Huh .
To the role bacteria play when trees decompose .
It's amazing how much we covered .
I know , so get ready for a recap of like the entire week .
Because we found some real gems in there .
Oh yeah , for sure .
We started Monday off looking at the core structure of trees , right , right , and it's fascinating how we can learn so much , yeah , from both the macroscopic and microscopic features it really is .
It's like you're reading a history book , isn't it ? Each year is just like etched into the tree's structure yeah remember those annual rings ? Oh yeah , they're not just markers of age . Yeah , they tell us about the tree's growth . Yeah , you can see , like rainfall and temperature , exactly .
Reflecting all those environmental factors .
And then there's , beyond the rings , there's the heartwood , the core .
Which gives the tree its strength .
Yeah , strength and stability .
Then the sapwood , which is like a network of pipelines , yeah , transporting all that water and nutrients .
Up and down the trees .
Throughout . And we can't forget the bark .
Oh yeah , the bark that armor , protecting it from everything . You know , I have to admit , before this week I kind of just saw bark as bark , yeah . Now I think about how it's always defending the tree .
Constant defense .
Year after year .
Yeah . But then we got even closer oh yeah , we went microscopic , we journeyed into the cells .
Right Into the cells of the tree .
It was building blocks that give them their properties .
We talked about trachytes .
Uh-huh .
Those long , narrow cells that carry the water In conifers , in conifers , right , yes , and then the vessels .
Which do the same thing basically yeah , but in deciduous trees . Yeah , it's pretty amazing .
It's mind-boggling how those tiny cells working together can keep a tree alive . It really is a testament to nature , isn't it ? It is , and then on Tuesday , we switched gears a little bit and talked about those European tree worker certifications .
We did .
And before our conversation . You know I didn't realize how much goes into that . It's pretty intense yeah it's not just climbing trees and pruning . Yeah , there's so much training .
So much training involved . Yeah , it makes sense though .
Yeah .
When you think about caring for trees .
Yeah , especially in cities .
Especially in urban environments .
It's a whole other ballgame .
It is .
You need to know best practices but also all the safety stuff . Practices but also all the safety stuff . So we talked about the exams , like both the practical and theoretical , and what really impressed me was all the emphasis on professional development . Yeah , making sure their knowledge is up to date .
Absolutely , it's crucial .
And that makes sure that , like everyone in Europe , who does this work knows what they're doing .
To a consistent level .
Right and it keeps our urban forests .
Healthy .
Yeah , healthy and safe .
Exactly .
Which actually leads perfectly into our Wednesday discussion .
Oh yeah .
Remember all that stuff about the environmental impact of trees in . Mediterranean cities . Yes , we talked about that study .
We did .
That used that life cycle assessment .
That's right .
That's the LCA . Yeah , that's right , that's the LCA . Yeah , which basically means looking at something's environmental- .
Cradle to grave .
Yeah , from its creation all the way to the end .
Or , in this case , from seed to decomposition .
And the data was pretty amazing . It was , I mean , trees really are like- .
Like nature's air purifier , taking out all those pollutants from the air we breathe , and they're also great at absorbing carbon dioxide , and they can even help regulate the temperature . That's right .
In summertime . I definitely appreciate that it makes cities more livable .
But the study also talked about some of the challenges .
Yeah .
Like planting the trees then maintaining them .
Right , it's a lot of work . It's not as simple as just planting a tree and walking away .
It's not .
No , you've got to make sure you're choosing the right species .
For that location . For the climate , the soil , the soil , the local conditions . It's all about maximizing the benefits while keeping in mind the costs .
And the logistics , and the logistics . And then we talked about the European standard . Yes .
For evaluating tree health and safety .
It's fascinating .
Yeah .
It introduces this whole new way to assess trees .
Yeah , like a full medical checkup .
It is Looking for any signs of problems K weakness , hazards , that kind of thing .
Exactly .
And it's like a standard approach that everyone can use .
That's right . So everyone in Europe is doing the same thing .
So it's consistent .
Consistent and accurate ? Yeah , and it goes beyond just looking for problems . It considers how the tree's growing , its condition and how it contributes to the , to just looking for problems . Yeah , it considers how the tree's growing . Yeah , its condition and how it contributes to the landscape .
It's like you're looking at the tree's whole history .
The whole context . Yeah , the whole context .
And it's so important to document everything . Yeah .
That stood out to me too . It's like a medical history . It is For the tree , so you know how to best for it . And then , friday , we talked about VET cert .
We did Remember that EU project . Yeah , all about caring for ancient trees , ancient and veteran trees , the majestic giants .
They've been standing for centuries .
Centuries .
Witnessing history and holding so much ecological value .
Yeah , they're like living monuments , aren't they ?
They are .
And VET cert is all about making sure we're taking care of them .
In the right way . In the right way , recognizing the challenges .
Yeah , it's like a special group of experts .
It is A specialized guild .
Protecting these ancient trees .
Safeguarding their legacy .
Yeah , it made me realize that we really need people with this kind of expertise . We do To make sure those trees stay healthy to keep those treasures alive and vt cert is such an important step .
It is in the right direction building on the work of v tree yeah to make sure we have the education yeah the training , the training certification to do this work and then saturday saturday , we ended the week . Yeah , going microscopic again . Back to the microscopic world .
Looking at wood decomposition that's right . And remember Lynn Boddy's research . Oh yeah , she really shed some light on how this
¶ Microbial Interplay in Wood Decay
all works .
How bacteria and fungi work together .
Yeah , and sometimes against each other .
It's a complicated process .
I know it's like a microscopic soap opera . It is full of drama with all these species competing yeah collaborating uh-huh , influencing the way the wood decomposes it's a fascinating interplay and the bacteria are like the first responders . Yes , they are .
They break down the wood and pave the way for the fungi and even though they're tiny , they are .
They're essential , they're the forest they're like nature's recyclers . That's right Turning that dead wood into nutrients . So , important , which makes the soil richer .
And helps new life to grow .
So it's like decay isn't a bad thing .
No , it's part of a healthy forest . All about transformation .
Yeah .
It shows how connected everything is .
Even in death .
Yes , what a journey . It's been a good one .
I know From like the big picture .
To the tiniest details .
And the microscopic .
We've seen the whole world of trees .
Yeah , we have .
In a new way .
And we've only just scratched the surface , haven't ?
we , you have .
But I think this week has given us a really good understanding , good foundation . How important trees are . Yeah , why don't we take a quick break ?
Okay .
And when we come back we can talk about all the key takeaways .
Sounds good .
From our week-long deep dive .
I'm looking forward to it .
Yo , welcome to the show with Lily and Chad Talking trees and standards , making them rad . Each topic lined up , each episode stacked From Monday to Saturday , breaking down facts , macroscopic views to the cellular scale . Learn the tree's story , every ring , every tale , from hardwood to softwood . We're going deep , diving through layers where the secrets keep .
Tune in with Lily , tune in with Jad . Bringing tree wisdom like you never had . Standards and stories . Roots to the sky , raising the bar . Let's reach up high . Tuesday we talk ETW certs , harmonising Europe's care , lifting the work , crossing oceans . With ISA on track . European standards got our backs .
Come Wednesday , urban trees in sight , life cycle assessment , making it right Trees breathing in CO2 to the core , helping the cities . Let's do more . Tune in with Lily , tune in with Jad . Bringing tree wisdom like you never had . Standards and stories . Roots to the sky . Raising the bar , let's reach up high . Vitality meets strength . Thursday's the day .
Mechanical integrity paves the way , with public safety and trees in check . The 2023 standard keeps it all in spec . Friday brings Vetsert for the wise and the old , preserving tree history , stories , untold Knowledge and skills harmonised across lands . Europe united , we're making a stand . Then comes Lynn Boddy on a Saturday morn .
Bacteria and fungi Wood's tale reborn , it's science and nature . Together they thrive . Breaking down trees , keeping forests alive . Tune in with Lily . Tune in with Jan , bringing tree wisdom like you never had Standards and stories . Roots to the sky , raising the bar let's reach up high . So tune in , join us Week after week for the love of trees .
Knowledge we seek . Lily and Jad got the podcast hype , bringing the world of arborists to light . Yo , tune in with Lily . Tune in with Jan , bringing tree wisdom like you never had Standards and stories . Peeps to the sky , raising the bar . Let's reach up high . Tune in with Lily . Tune in with Jan . Let's reach up high .
It's really amazing , when you think about it , how all these topics we've talked about , from the structure of wood to the bacteria , it's all connected .
It's like this web it is . It's like we started zoomed in on the individual tree .
Yeah .
Like its anatomy , how it grows , and then we pulled back .
To see the bigger picture .
To see how that knowledge helps the people who care for the trees .
Right Like the ETW certified professionals .
Yeah exactly .
They take all that knowledge and use it to protect entire forests .
Especially in cities .
Especially in urban forests .
Making sure they thrive .
So we get all those benefits .
Like cleaner air Cleaner air . Carbon sequestration , yeah , even just the beauty of nature , absolutely Right in the city .
And you know , it's all about finding that balance .
Right .
Between the tree's needs and the needs of the urban environment .
Exactly , and that's where choosing the right species and managing them properly comes in . Right , it's not just about planting them and walking away . It's about making sure they can actually thrive , exactly . And then , even at the end of a tree's life , there's still that interconnectedness .
That's where the bacteria and fungi come in Right , decomposing everything .
It's a cycle .
It is a cycle of life and death and renewal .
It's beautiful it is . The nutrients go back into the soil .
Yep .
To help new trees grow .
That's right , the next generation .
So even decay is an important part of the ecosystem .
It is a vital part .
Everything transforms .
And continues .
Speaking of continuing , we talked about VT-CERT and how it helps preserve those ancient trees .
The veterans .
Yeah , ensuring that legacy continues .
Exactly .
Those trees have seen so much history .
Centuries worth .
We have a responsibility to care for them .
We do .
And VT-CERT is helping train those experts .
To give them the best chance .
Yeah , it all ties together so well and it does .
We've zoomed in and out this week . Yeah , we've seen it all .
Seen the individual trees .
Uh-huh .
The people taking care of them .
And the impact on the environment .
And even what happens after they die . Understanding them is crucial .
Absolutely .
It's not just science .
It's more than that .
It's about our relationship with nature .
It's about being responsible .
And this week's deep dive .
Has given us the knowledge we need .
To really understand all that .
And then to become advocates .
Speaking of advocacy .
Yeah .
We talked about how challenging it can be .
To manage urban forests .
All the resources it takes . Yeah , that's why it's so important for people to understand .
The value of trees .
Yeah , so they'll support those initiatives To protect them . Whether it's through funding , volunteering .
Or even just making good choices .
Yeah .
In their own lives .
It starts with education .
And sparking curiosity .
Getting people excited about trees .
That's what we've tried to do this week .
Yeah , I think we did a good job .
I think so too .
We've explored it all .
Before we wrap up Okay . I think it'd be good to highlight some of the key takeaways .
Yeah , what are some things you think our listeners should remember ?
Well , I think the biggest one is how complex trees are .
Oh , definitely . They're not just static objects . No , they're dynamic Living with all these intricate processes .
Processes . We're only beginning to understand .
Right . And with all that complexity Comes the need for experts . Yeah .
People who really know their stuff .
Like scientists studying their cells or arborists checking on their health .
It's a whole world of knowledge .
It is .
Dedicated to trees .
And it's not just about the trees themselves , about the impact they have .
Like we saw in that study .
On Mediterranean cities .
Yeah , how trees benefit us , and don't forget about decomposition .
Even in death they contribute . It's all interconnected .
You know , after this week I just have this feeling of awe and gratitude for trees .
We too .
They give us so much without asking for anything in return .
Take this knowledge with you .
Go out and experience trees .
Look closer , observe , try to imagine their stories .
And remember .
Every tree you see Is a symbol Of nature's power .
Resilience .
And beauty Until next time , keep exploring .
That brings us to the end of this episode . Thank you for tuning in and , as always , we're grateful for your support . Stay tuned for more episodes and , until next time , keep growing your knowledge of the natural world around you . Thanks for watching .