Tree Lady Talks

Tree Lady Talks

The Tree Lady, Sharon Durdant-Hollamby, talks all things trees, nature, forests, natural sciences and health and well-being to fascinating people from all walks of life. Also available as a video podcast on our YouTube channel, '@treeladytalks'. Get in touch with the show treeladytalks@gmail.com

Episodes

February 25, 2025 54 mins

Send us a text

Summary

In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, Sharon discusses the newly released handbook on UK urban tree allometry with experts Joe Fennell and Luke Fay. The conversation covers the importance of understanding tree growth data, the process of data collection and cleaning, and the practical applications of this data in landscape design. The handbook aims to provide a comprehensive overview of tree characteris...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Summary

In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, Dr. Kathleen Wolf, a research social scientist, discusses the profound impact of urban trees on human health and well-being. She shares her journey from biologist to researcher, emphasizing the importance of nature in urban settings. The conversation explores various themes, including the health benefits of living near trees, the significance of tree canopy for neon...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Summary

In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, Dr. Sandy Hetherington, a Plant Evolutionary Biologist, discusses the origins and evolution of plants on Earth. The conversation explores the transition of plants from water to land, the characteristics of early land plants, and the development of root systems. Dr. Hetherington shares insights from fossil records, highlighting the complexity of early ecosystems and ...

Mark as Played
November 14, 2024 71 mins

Send us a text

Summary

In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, host Sharon engages with wildlife expert and sculpture artist George Boomin, who shares insights from his book 'Eavesdropping on Animals.' The conversation explores the intricate ways animals communicate, the significance of sound in nature, and the intelligence of various species. George discusses his unique talent for imitating animal sounds, the importa...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Please be aware that this episode contains references to taking one's own life (support available in the show notes below). Jacqueline Waring, UK Arboriculturist, speaks of her departed and beloved son Will, who took his own life this year whist in the high security wing of the Inverness Pyschiatric Hospital.   

This appeal is short but poignant, and we would be grateful if our audience could find it in ...

Mark as Played
November 7, 2024 43 mins

Send us a text

Summary

In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, host Sharon engages with Andrew Walton to explore the concept of forest gardens and their ecological and social benefits. They discuss the importance of nature analogous polyculture, which mimics natural ecosystems while providing food, fiber, and medicine. The conversation delves into the various layers of a forest garden, including canopy trees, shrubs, and herbac...

Mark as Played
October 31, 2024 50 mins

Send us a text

In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, Sharon and Carol Donaldson discuss the transformative power of volunteering in wildlife conservation. Carol shares her journey from a difficult personal phase to finding purpose and community through her work with volunteers. The conversation highlights the diverse characters within volunteer groups, the emotional growth that comes from shared experiences, and the lasting impact of ...

Mark as Played
October 24, 2024 28 mins

Send us a text

Summary

In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, Sharon discusses the growing trend of planting trees on buildings with expert Alistair Bayford. They explore the benefits of roof gardens, the challenges of structural considerations, soil requirements, and the maintenance of trees in urban environments. Alistair shares insights on successful tree species for roofs and emphasizes the importance of proper care and at...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Summary

In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, Sharon speaks with Russell Horsey about his work in community greening across the UK, the challenges of funding for these initiatives, and the innovative Tree Plotter software that engages communities in tree management. Russell shares insights on the importance of community involvement in urban forestry and the need for better funding processes to support these eff...

Mark as Played
October 18, 2024 59 mins

Send us a text

Summary

In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, Sharon interviews Henry Kuppen, a tree ambassador from the Netherlands, about the concept of 'tree guests'—a reframing of pests and diseases that affect trees. Henry discusses the importance of biodiversity in managing tree health, particularly in relation to the oak processionary moth. The conversation explores various management techniques, the ecologica...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, Sharon interviews Zazie Todd, an animal behavior expert, about her book 'Bark' which focuses on understanding and helping fearful, anxious, and reactive dogs. They discuss the outdated training methods that can harm dogs, the importance of recognizing signs of anxiety, and the benefits of positive reinforcement training. Zazie emphasizes the need for dog guardians to under...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Summary

In this episode of Tree Lady Talks, Sharon discusses the transformative 3-30-300 rule with experts Cecil Konijnendijk and Dirk Voets. They explore the importance of urban greening, the scientific methodology behind the rule, and its global impact on city planning and public health. The conversation highlights community engagement, the challenges faced by urban foresters, and the need for innovative fu...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Summary

This conversation explores the intricate politics surrounding street trees, focusing on their historical significance, community engagement, and the ongoing challenges in urban forestry. Camilla Allen, a landscape architect and environmental historian, discusses the Sheffield street tree crisis, the role of trees as living memorials, and the importance of public advocacy and education in tree manageme...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

In this conversation, Sharon interviews Jaroslav Kolarik, CEO of SafeTrees and member of the Arboriculture Academy in the Czech Republic. They discuss the role of the European Arboriculture Council (EAC) in promoting arboriculture in Europe and the certification programs offered by the EAC. They also talk about the importance of certification for arborists and the challenges of raising awareness and understanding of a...

Mark as Played
September 19, 2024 61 mins

Send us a text

Built and natural environments are often referred to independently, but in reality, comprise two defined parts of one environment. Within the environment, trees and buildings exist, though not always in equal relationships. Where development is proposed, taking precedence over trees, an imbalance between natural and built environments may occur. This could be the result of tree- building conflict often resulting in tree...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

In this conversation, Jules Acton discusses her book 'Oaklore' and her journey into the world of nature conservation. She shares her experiences of visiting a nature reserve for the first time and the barriers people may face when trying to engage with nature. Jules emphasizes the importance of creating openings and ways for people to connect with nature. She also talks about her childhood experiences with n...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

In this episode, Sharon and Callum discuss the use of AI and technology in the arboriculture industry. Callum explains that AI has been around for decades and has been used in various applications, such as loan applications and predictive text. In the forestry industry, AI has been used for mapping deforestation and monitoring pests and diseases. Callum emphasizes the importance of training AI models to get the desire...

Mark as Played
August 29, 2024 71 mins

Send us a text

In this bonus episode of Tree Lady Talks, Sharon discusses the revision of the British standard for trees and construction, BS 5837. She interviews Howard Booth, the chair of the committee proposing the changes, to discuss the main updates. The changes include new process flow charts, a new categorization method, adjustments to root protection areas, and the inclusion of canopy cover assessments. The goal of these cha...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

The conversation explores the complexities and challenges of implementing biodiversity net gain (BNG) in the UK. The discussion covers topics such as tree replacement, the definition of veteran trees, the role of arboriculturalists in BNG assessments, the emphasis on planting native trees, the mitigation of tree group losses, and the need for additional protection for habitats like peat soils. The conversation also to...

Mark as Played

Send us a text

Dr. Mark Johnston, MBE, shares his life story and his journey in the field of urban forestry. From his childhood in London to his adventures as a tree surgeon and his work as a tree officer, he has witnessed the evolution of urban forestry. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement and the equal distribution of trees in urban areas. After working at Kew Gardens and teaching at Askham Bryan College, he event...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    United States of Kennedy is a podcast about our cultural fascination with the Kennedy dynasty. Every week, hosts Lyra Smith and George Civeris go into one aspect of the Kennedy story.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.