The history of African American people in the United States is inextricably linked to the cotton shrub, but seven other species of tree also have deep meaning for this community. In this episode, we learn about these trees from the plant scientist Beronda L. Montgomery, who has just published a book examining America’s Black botanical legacy.

Released on January 22, 2026.

Episode Transcript

Guest

Beronda L. Montmogery is a writer and scientist who studies how plants and photosynthetic bacteria perceive, respond to, and are impacted by environments in which they exist. She is the author, most recently, of When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical History (Henry Holt, 2026).

Related Content

Beronda L. Montgomery Fellowship Bio

Beronda L. Montgomery Personal Website

What Can We Learn from the Trees That Witnessed Our History? (Boston Globe, 1/29/26)

Episode 505: Our Plant Teachers

Credits

Ivelisse Estrada is your cohost and the editorial manager at HRI, where she edits Radcliffe Magazine.

Alan Catello Grazioso is the executive producer of BornCurious and the senior multimedia manager at HRI.

Heather Min is your cohost and the senior manager of digital strategy at HRI.

Anna Soong is the production assistant at HRI.

Special thanks to Cabin 3 Media for their invaluable contributions to the editing of this podcast episode.

GuestRelated ContentCredits