When a Fig Isn’t a Fruit — The Hidden Life of Figs
Not all figs are like the ones we grow in the UK — this is the banyan (Ficus benghalensis), found across the tropical regions of South Asia. I absolutely love figs. I suspect it’s a relic of my parents’ slightly chaotic fig tree, and the ritual of being offered one with a cup of tea…
The Tallest Trees in the World and the Paradox of Scaling Up
The Tallest Trees in the World — and the Paradox of Scaling Up My fascination with very large things probably started before I could even talk — mountains, tall pine trees, roaring rivers, cavernous caves. My love of the outdoors has always been deeply ingrained, and with it a quiet sense that we are a…
Are Trees Intelligent?
The question above: ‘Are Trees Intelligent’ isn’t one of those impossible-to-answer existential questions, but a very real one—whose answer shifts depending on how we, as humans, choose to see it. I believe the answer matters. When trees are not seen as intelligent, they become easier to dismiss, easier to exploit, and easier to destroy. Forests and complex…
When an Ancient Tree Isn’t Really That Ancient
The first time I ever saw a giant sequoia was in July 2024, in Giant Forest, California — on a climbing trip with Ancient Forest Society to help canopy scientists understand how they are affected by fire and drought. By saw, I don’t mean in the casual sense of seeing a cat or a car.…
Why I Chose to Become an Arborist
If you’d told me ten years ago that I’d be climbing giant trees for a living, with a head full of wonder, I probably would’ve hugged you because you’d have single-handedly given me the solution to a life well-lived. But back then, I didn’t even know what an arborist was! I’m a product of private…