THE EARLIEST REFERENCES to humans cultivating trees date back to maybe 6000 BC, and there are records of tree-care tactics in the Bible, too, and from ancient Egypt. These person-to-tree interventions were the start of the science and art of arboriculture, and our best practices of pruning and other how-to have evolved in each successive era to the methods we know today. I took a look backward in history, and also explored some current recommendations, with Melissa Finley, New York Botanical Garden’s Thain Curator of Woody Plants, and also curator of NYBG’s Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden. Woody plants are Melissa’s passion; she is a certified arborist, and was a forester with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation before joining NYBG four years ago. Read along as you listen to the Dec. 22, 2025 edition of my public-radio show and podcast using the player below. You can subscribe to all future editions on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) or Spotify (and browse my archive of podcasts here). woody plant history and how-to, with melissa finley Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 00:26:43 Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Margaret Roach: How are you in this craziest of winters so far, huh? [Laughter.] Up […]

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