In the inaugural episode of Stories of Trees, host Stacy Whittle sits down with renowned social scientist Dr. Kathy Wolf to explore the profound relationship between trees, human health, and community wellbeing. Drawing from more than three decades of research, Kathy explains how nearby nature impacts us from “cradle to grave,” shaping everything from stress reduction and mental health to social connection and place attachment.
The conversation moves through urban forestry, stewardship, spirituality, and the cultural meanings we attach to trees around the world—from Japan’s sacred groves to survivor trees that carry the memory of historic events. Kathy also reflects on her own journey into urban forestry and why old, “gnarly” trees continue to fascinate her.
This episode is an invitation to slow down, notice the trees around us, and reconsider what it means to belong to a place.

Topics Covered

• Nature and mental health
• Urban forestry and stewardship
• Place attachment and community identity
• Spiritual and cultural relationships with trees
• Survivor trees and environmental memory
• The future of sustainable cities

What if planting trees could improve public health at the neighborhood scale?
In this episode of Stories of Trees, host Stacy Whittle talks with Dr. Ray Yeager, a health geographer at the University of Louisville whose work explores the links between place, environment, and human health. Ray explains how urban trees affect everything from air quality and heat exposure to stress, inflammation, and long-term health outcomes.

The conversation centers on the groundbreaking Green Heart Project in Louisville, Kentucky, where researchers have planted thousands of trees across neighborhoods and are now studying how these changes affect residents over time. Ray also explains why the placement and design of urban tree plantings matter just as much as the trees themselves.
This episode offers a hopeful and science-driven look at how greener cities can create healthier communities.

Topics Covered

• Health geography and environmental health.
• The Green Heart Project.
• Urban tree planting strategies.
• Air pollution, noise, and heat reduction.
• Trees and inflammation research.
• Careers in science and sustainability.

In this episode of Stories of Trees, host Stacy Whittle speaks with Dr. Laurie Fox of Virginia Tech about a lifetime spent studying, protecting, and learning from trees. Laurie shares childhood memories of climbing trees with her sister, collecting leaf mold with her grandmother, and eventually building a career in horticulture and extension education.

The conversation explores the emotional and practical importance of trees in our neighborhoods, from stormwater protection and biodiversity to the deeply personal memories trees can hold. Laurie also discusses champion trees, historic “witness trees,” and the effort to preserve iconic specimens such as Virginia’s Emancipation Oak. At its heart, this episode is about connection—how trees quietly shape our communities, our histories, and our lives.

Topics Covered

• Childhood experiences with trees.
• Urban and community forestry.
• Historic and champion trees.
• The Emancipation Oak.
• Tree preservation and replanting.
• Environmental education and outreach.