| Trees A Crowd | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by | David Oakes |
| Genre | Natural History |
| Language | English |
| Updates |
|
| Production | |
| Production | David Oakes |
| Opening theme | "The Oak and the Ivy" by Bella Hardy |
| Audio format | Podcast (via streaming or downloadable MP3) |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 138 |
| Publication | |
| Original release | 25 February 2019 |
| Related | |
| Website | www |
Trees A Crowd is a natural history podcast presented by actor David Oakes.
Oakes, as an environmentalist and an ambassador for the Woodland Trust and The Wildlife Trusts, started Trees A Crowd as a series of informal conversations with artists, scientists and enthusiasts.[ citation needed ]
Speaking on the Dominic King show on BBC Radio Kent on 19 July 2019, David said in regards to why he started the podcast:
If we live in a world of identity politics where personality trumps any viable policy or common sense, then maybe we can use that for betterment too. So, if we can get someone who is fascinating who can take you through their life story and their idiosyncratic interests and pastimes and accidental encounters with griffins or narwhals or fantastical or factual beasts across time, then maybe we can then be seduced into fewer plastic bottles or driving your car a little less often. [1]
Each episode explores how the countryside has inspired different career trajectories. Speaking to Countryman Magazine in June 2019, Oakes said:
I decided to seek out others who, like me, have a meaningful connection with the rolling hills, misty moors, babbling brooks, and dappled woodlands of our glorious Great Britain. I wanted to discover how the countryside — and its many-legged inhabitants — inspired their careers, and how growing up within the natural world became working for the natural world. [2]
Jenny Perrone, writing for The Guardian , described the podcast as “a treat for your ears” [3] and the Geographical Magazine praised the podcast: "In a world of high-energy, jingle-ridden podcasts and antagonistic radio shows Trees a Crowd makes for a pleasantly gentle listen. Both nostalgic and forward looking it covers some of the biggest issues facing the natural world through the medium of relaxed, informal conversation." [4]
As of 28 May 2021, Trees a Crowd is to be added to the British Library Sound Archive (formerly the National Sound Archive) for its value as part of the nation's audio and cultural heritage. And, as of August 2021, it is ranked as the #1 Nature podcast in Great Britain on Apple podcasts.
The third series took on a different format (see below), but it did include three interviews in keeping with the original format of the podcast.
As a result of restrictions put in place in response to the COVID pandemic of 2020/21, the third series of Trees a Crowd temporarily took on a different format. Instead of interviews, it provided short narrative accounts - scripted and produced by Oakes - of 'the secrets and stories beneath the native tree species to the British Isles'. The series explored the folklore, history, botany, art, music and literature associated with each tree, and was illuminated by anecdotes from Oakes' personal experience. The episodes also featured soundbites from previous guests of the show, and poetry and song recitals performed by acquaintances from across Oakes' theatrical career.