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This Old TreeAuthor: Doug Still
Old trees are awe inspiring links to the past that fire our imagination. What are their stories? Seasoned arborist and amateur historian Doug Still interviews local experts, historians, and regular folks to celebrate the myths and uncover the real tales. If you're a tree lover, join in to look "beyond the plaque" at heritage trees and the human stories behind them. Monthly. Language: en-us Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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On Defense: Estonia's Stadium Oak
Episode 5
Wednesday, 31 December, 2025
In the small Estonian town of Orissaare, football players dribble around a 150-year-old oak tree standing impossibly in the middle of their soccer field or "stadium." What seems like a quirky local oddity became a symbol of national pride when this tree won the 2015 European Tree of the Year, beating much larger countries like Hungary, Spain, and the UK.How did an unknown Estonian oak outcompete all of Europe? The answer involves brilliant PR, ancient folklore, a fierce independence forged by centuries of foreign invasion, and a profound connection to forests rooted in animism. Could a tree resist the Soviets? Learn about its inspiring legend that captured the attention of tree-lovers around the world.GuestsAliide NaylorJournalist and AuthorLondon, UKThe Shadow in the East: Vladimir Putin and the New Baltic Frontaliidenaylor.comHeiki HansoArboristOrissaare, EstoniaAndla RüütelManager, Orissaare Sports HallOrissaare, EstoniaVoiceover Reading for Andla RüütelMartha Douglas-OsmundsonLinkedIn ProfileSongs (in order)"Saaremaa valss," Georg Ots"Ma vaatan paadist kiikriga," Boris Lehtlaan"Metsavendade laul (sõnadega) - Forest Brothers' Song," Untsakad"Isegi unes," Stig Rästa (permission from FAAR Music)Other References"The Favours of the Sacred Tree," Estonian Folk Tales: the Heavenly Wedding,Piret Paar and Anne Turnpu, authors, 2005.Silence of the Gods: The Untold History of Europe's Last Pagan Peoples, Francis Young, 2025.European Tree of the Year, Environmental Partnership AssociationTheme Music"This Old Tree," Diccon Lee, www.deeleetree.comArtworkDahn Hiuni, www.dahnhiuni.com/homeWebsitethisoldtree.showTranscripts available.Follow onFacebook or Instagram This Old Tree podcast is a sponsored project of the New England Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. To support This Old Tree and New England ISA, click here. We want to hear about the favorite tree in your life! To submit a ~4 or 5 minute audio story for consideration for an upcoming episode of "Tree Story Shorts" on This Old Tree, record the story on your phone’s voice memo app and email to:doug@thisoldtree.netThis episode was written in part at LitArts RI, a community organization and co-working space that supports Rhode Island's creators. litartsri.org
