There was a lot of talk about trees on TBTL today. But we’re not done yet. 

Hello, everybody, and welcome to the latest installment of the TBTL Newsletter! My name is Andrew. I hope this email finds you well.

Luke and I didn’t plan on talking about trees so much when we started the podcast today. It just sort of happened. We ended up laughing and crying and sharing poems about trees and philosophical observations about trees and Onion headlines about trees. Was it a little weird? Sure! But it also struck a chord with at least one listener. I received this text message from Patrick in Citrus Heights, California, this afternoon: 

Today's TBTL was my favorite maybe ever. Loved the way it veered from an Onion drop to getting choked up reading a poem, to real human feelings and vulnerability, and back to laughs. It really trimmed the hedges.

That note really made my day, even though I think we can all assume Patrick was predisposed to enjoy tree-talk, since he lives in a place called “Citrus.” Still, we’ll take the compliments anywhere we can get them. 

So I figured we can close out the week with a little tree trivia. Now, I’m no expert on trees -- not in the slightest! -- but I do find them fascinating, and I’ve picked up a few interesting tidbits about them over the years. Here are 15 of my Favorite Forest Factoids: 

1. There are more than 6 different known species of trees on earth.  

2. The world’s oldest tree, known as Methuselah, is 4,857 years old, but it tells everyone it’s only 3,500. 

3. About 100% of the world’s Keebler Elves live in trees. 

4. Trees are the only living organisms -- aside from humans and lobsters -- that understand sarcasm. 

5. The scientists who designed the very first tree made no money from their invention and were never recognized during their lifetime. 

6. The scientists who designed the very first tree were actually trying to make a bush.

7. Many of Bob Dylan’s earliest works centered on his deep-seated hatred of trees and never received radio play. 

8. Chris Pine, despite his name, is not actually a tree. 

9. Chris Pine's first acting role was in a 2003 episode of ER. He played a Balsam Fir.

10. The bark of an old-growth redwood can be up to a foot thick, despite it being notoriously sensitive to perceived insults. 

11. Trees hate modern dance. 

12. Most trees don’t eat meat. 

13. Some of the earliest European settlers used trees to build things. 

14. El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico is home to over 240 different native tree species and my Uncle Mike, who ran away from home in 1971.

15. A tree can only be called a tree if it’s grown in the Tree region of France.

I could obviously keep going, but I don’t want you to spend your whole weekend sitting behind this newsletter reading a bunch of tedious facts. If you want to get to know trees, go outside and meet some! Go for a walk with your favorite tree in the neighborhood. Maybe even invite it over for dinner with the family, or treat it to a night of karaoke at your favorite spot. Remember, trees are just like you and me: they crave companionship, conversation, and double-shots of Jim Beam in a dirty dive bar on a Friday night.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with your foilagey friends. Luke and I will talk to you on Monday! 

-- Andrew

Lucy and I play a game that is a combination of fetch, tug-of-war, dance class, and snuggle time. We don’t have a name for it yet, but it’s literally the best.

What’s your name and where do you live? 
Dean from Adelaide, Australia.

When did you start listening to TBTL? How did you find the show?
TBTL was recommended to me by an on-line friend about 18 months ago. I began listening and quickly found myself chewing through the back catalogue. TBTL has become an essential part of my listening week. You guys have a language that I find myself slipping into my daily conversation - not the least of which is the turn of phrase, "All that is to say..."

How would your friends describe you?
I am an intensive care nurse who is routinely described as misanthropic, cynical, coffee addled and a purveyor of gallows humour. I am also dependable, affectionate, an amateur raconteur and able to un-do any serious situation with an inappropriate joke. I'm basically a lovable arsehole.

What was your favorite cereal when you were a kid?Is it still your fav? 
I was a fan of my Mum's muesli. My Mum was not a fan of my loving her museli. I still partake of a bowl of museli from time to time.

What food do you love to eat the most of?
Salt and pepper squid.

What’s the best or worst nickname you ever had?
Deano.

If you could play one song on TBTL, what would it be?
Tiny Tim's "Tip Toe Through The Tulips.”

What’s a special skill that you have?
I am a reasonably handy sailor and I've been sailing since I was 10 years old. These days, I often sail my boat with TBTL playing on my waterproof Bluetooth speaker.

What’s a skill you *wish* you had?
I wish I had the vocal range of Freddie Mercury.

If you were driving down the street and you saw Luke and Andrew on the sidewalk, what would you yell at them as you drove past?
"I LOVED YOU IN WALL STREET!!"

Can other Tens find you on social media?
I'm on BlueSky at @deanfromaustralia.bsky.social

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