WHAT’S UP, FUNGAL ASSOCIATES!
Welcome to Completely Arbortrary, the podcast about trees and other related topics.
This weekly podcast is a scientific look at trees and how they affect and are affected by everything, hosted by master arborist and environmental educator Casey Clapp and his tree-curious friend and musical artist Alex Crowson. Each episode features a tree from around the world and a discussion about its unique position in culture, ecology, and history. These discussions can range from urban forestry and evolutionary biology to folk mythology and popular culture. The hard science is framed in plenty of silliness, with a casual tone, games and parody songs, and the titular arbitrary numerical rating of the tree at the end of each episode.
This podcast's mission is to provide approachable science to audiences of all experience levels and reconnect people to the natural elements around them, whether deep in the forest or just outside their front door.
Casey Clapp is an arborist and dendrologist based out of Portland, Oregon. Featured on the podcast Ologies with Alie Ward, Casey is best described as an extremely enthusiastic fan of trees. After studying Forestry and Environmental Conservation all over the United States, he settled back home in the Great Pacific Northwest and immersed himself in all the natural world around him had to offer. You can find him riding a bike around town, foraging for trees in the wilderness, or sharing an ice cold ale beer with his pals.
Alex Crowson is a musical artist, podcaster, and great indoorsman based in Portland, Oregon. He acts as co-host, producer, editor, and creative director of Completely Arbortrary. Raised among the Douglas-fir rich landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, Alex spent the bulk of his childhood indoors, where he discovered his love and talent for art. Alex has released two EPs, 2019's Take This With You and 2022's Sorry, I Missed You. In early 2021, Alex founded Completely Arbortrary with longtime friend Casey Clapp. Alongside his musical and podcast pursuits Alex also loves books, cooking, and goofin’ with friends.