Ep. 248 Favorite trees for spring: Trees we look forward to every year | #GoodGrowing
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “Ep. 248 Favorite trees for spring: Trees we look forward to every year | #GoodGrowing” inside PodZeus.
In this episode of the Good Growing Podcast, hosts Chris Enroth, Ken Johnson, and guest Emily Zweihart dive into their favorite spring trees, celebrating the seasonal beauty and ecological value of various species. The conversation unfolds as a lively, collaborative exchange, with each host sharing personal favorites based on bloom, structure, scent, and memory. Emily highlights the Cornus cusa dogwood for its cold tolerance and architectural form, while Ken praises the redbud for its early spring display and edibility. Chris shares his deep affection for the black locust, not for its placement in a yard but for the unforgettable grape-scented blooms that evoke cherished family memories. The group also explores the silver bells, catalpa, white fringe tree, tulip tree, and black gum, discussing their unique features, propagation challenges, and ecological roles. The episode blends horticultural insight with heartfelt anecdotes, emphasizing the emotional and sensory connection people have with trees during spring. Despite challenges like pests, disease, and invasiveness, the hosts advocate for thoughtful planting and appreciation of diversity in urban and natural landscapes. Key takeaways include: prioritize trees with multi-season interest; consider native and climate-appropriate species; embrace trees that offer sensory experiences like scent or unique form; be aware of propagation challenges and maintenance needs; and support biodiversity by planting a variety of species. The hosts also emphasize the importance of letting nature manage pests like aphids through natural predators rather than chemical intervention. The episode concludes with a joyful, slightly whimsical tone, celebrating the wonder of trees and the joy of growing them, while teasing future episodes on other tree topics.
Choose trees with multi-season interest—flowers, foliage, structure, and fall color—to maximize year-round appeal.
Prioritize native or climate-adapted species like Cornus cusa over more sensitive varieties like Cornus florida for better long-term success.
Embrace trees with strong sensory appeal—like the grape-scented blooms of black locust or the cotton-candy smell of katsura—because they create lasting emotional connections.
Consider ecological benefits: trees like black gum and tulip tree support birds and pollinators, while also tolerating tough conditions.
Be mindful of maintenance: some trees (like catalpa) are messy, but their visual impact and resilience may outweigh drawbacks.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome & Introduction to Spring Tree Favorites
The hosts welcome listeners to the Good Growing Podcast, introducing the theme of favorite spring trees for April Arbor Month. Chris and Ken greet Emily Zweihart, who returns for the episode, setting a warm and playful tone with banter about attire and recurring guest appearances.
Emily's First Pick: Cornus cusa Dogwood
“I'm going to just modify it a little bit and go with Cornus Cusa which is very similar. It can be hard to identify. The flowers look very similar. Their form is a little bit different. But Cornus Cusa or Cusa dogwood is better suited for our area. It's a little bit more cold tolerant.”
Ken's Pick: Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
“Usually, you know, they can have massive pink display of these smaller pea-shaped flowers. They're kind of cool to bloom on the trunks of the plant. Cauliflower-y, which is something you don't necessarily see all that often in trees.”
Chris's Nostalgic Favorite: Black Locust
“I just smelled this like grape scent, the sweet grape. Like a grape Kool-Aid almost. And I was like, what is that smell? And so we went down and we walked through the edge of the woods and we zeroed in on these trees...”
Emily's Second Pick: Silver Bells (Halesia carolina)
“I'm going to stop like ranting and just ask, do you guys have these in your landscape or around you? I've heard of them, but I don't think I've ever seen one.”
“When I am old and much more gray than I am right now, I will be looking at my catapa trees in the distance. And it'll be framed by these two tulip trees that I planted. And so it'll just be my version of heaven.”
“I just smelled this like grape scent, the sweet grape. Like a grape Kool-Aid almost. And I was like, what is that smell? And so we went down and we walked through the edge of the woods and we zeroed in on these trees...”
“The whole ecosystem. Nature finds a way.”
Hosts
Guest
Ken Johnson
person
Chris Enroth
person
Emily Zweihart
person
Cornus cusa
other
Liriodendron tulipifera
other
Catalpa speciosa
other
Cercis canadensis
other
Robinia pseudoacacia
other
Nyssa sylvatica
other
Halesia carolina
other
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “Ep. 248 Favorite trees for spring: Trees we look forward to every year | #GoodGrowing” inside PodZeus.
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime