Episode 171: Beronda L. Montgomery - When Trees Testify

About this episode

Beronda L. Montgomery discusses the historical significance of trees in America related to Black History and Culture.

Beronda L. Montgomery is a writer, researcher, science communicator, and professor at Michigan State University and Grinnell College. With a PhD in Plant Biology, her research has centered on how photosynthetic organisms adapt to changes in their environment. On this episode of Nature Revisited, Montgomery explores the intersection of trees in America and Black History & Culture. Pecan trees were domesticated by an enslaved African; sycamore trees were both havens and signposts for people trying to escape enslavement; poplar trees are historically associated with lynching. Montgomery explains how knowledge surrounding these trees has shaped America since the very beginning and are material witnesses to the lives of enslaved Africans and their descendants. https://www.berondamontgomery.com When Trees Testify book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250335166/whentreestestify/ Listen to Nature Revisited on your favorite podcast apps, on YouTube, or at https://noordenproductions.com Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/bdz4s9d7 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/5n7yx28t Subscribe on Youtube Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/bddd55v9 Podlink…

People in this episode

Guest: Beronda L. Montgomery

Topics covered

• trees
• Black History
• culture
• environment
• plant biology
• enslavement

Keywords

• trees
• Black History
• plant biology
• environment
• enslavement
• cultural significance
• photosynthesis

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Michigan State University, Grinnell College

Books & works: When Trees Testify

Places: America, Pecan trees, sycamore trees, poplar trees, Black History & Culture

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