Speaking on the Dominic King show on BBC Radio Kent on 19 July 2019, David said in regards to why he started the podcast:
If we live in a world of identity politics where personality trumps any viable policy or common sense, then maybe we can use that for betterment too. So, if we can get someone who is fascinating who can take you through their life story and their idiosyncratic interests and pastimes and accidental encounters with griffins or narwhals or fantastical or factual beasts across time, then maybe we can then be seduced into fewer plastic bottles or driving your car a little less often.[1]
Each episode explores how the countryside has inspired different career trajectories. Speaking to Countryman Magazine in June 2019, Oakes said:
I decided to seek out others who, like me, have a meaningful connection with the rolling hills, misty moors, babbling brooks, and dappled woodlands of our glorious Great Britain. I wanted to discover how the countryside — and its many-legged inhabitants — inspired their careers, and how growing up within the natural world became working for the natural world.[2]
Jenny Perrone, writing for The Guardian, described the podcast as “a treat for your ears”[3] and the Geographical Magazine praised the podcast: "In a world of high-energy, jingle-ridden podcasts and antagonistic radio shows Trees a Crowd makes for a pleasantly gentle listen. Both nostalgic and forward looking it covers some of the biggest issues facing the natural world through the medium of relaxed, informal conversation."[4]
As of 28 May 2021, Trees a Crowd is to be added to the British Library Sound Archive (formerly the National Sound Archive) for its value as part of the nation's audio and cultural heritage. And, as of August 2021, it is ranked as the #1 Nature podcast in Great Britain on Apple podcasts.
Guest list
Series one
25 February 2019 - Mark Frith, BAFTA-winning documentary maker and Artist
11 March 2019 - Polly Morgan, Artist and Taxidermist
25 March 2019 - David Fettes, Wildlife Photographer[5]
8 April 2019 - Astrid Goldsmith, Animator and Model-maker
15 April 2019 - Dr Katherine Brent, amongst other things, is a morris dancer and badger saboteur. This episode was released as a thematic response to the interview with Astrid Goldsmith.
29 April 2019 - Dr Ellinor Michel, molluscan systematist and ecologist at the Natural History Museum
6 May 2019 - Dr Fay Clark, animal welfare scientist at Bristol Zoo
20 May 2019 - Dr Guy Stevens, CEO and Co-Founder of the Manta Trust.
3 June 2019 - The Maldives Underwater Initiative, which includes a dozen Marine Biologists based on Laamu Atoll including some that work for the Blue Marine Foundation, the Manta Trust and the Olive Ridley Project.
17 June 2019 - Bella Hardy, folk singer and songwriter.
1 July 2019 - Wolfgang Buttress and Dr Martin Bencsik, co-creators of numerous multi-sensory artworks including the bee-inspired HIVE and BEAM.[7]
14 October 2019 - Recorded live at the 70th Cheltenham Literature Festival in partnership with the Woodland Trust, a discussion on “The Art of Trees” with Prof. Christiana Payne and Dr Angela Summerfield.[8]
21 October 2019 - Amanda Owen, the 'Yorkshire Shepherdess'.
16 December 2019 - Victoria Bromley, wildlife filmmaker and documentary maker.
23 December 2019 - Joanna Lentini, wildlife photographer.
Series two
6 January 2020 - Mark Carwardine, zoologist who achieved widespread recognition for his Last Chance to Seeconservation expeditions with Douglas Adams. Since then he has become a leading and outspoken conservationist, and a prolific broadcaster, columnist and photographer.
20 January 2020 - Dr Catherine Barlow of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project.
3 February 2020 - Dr Bryce Stewart, marine ecologist and fisheries biologist, currently a lecturer for the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York.
2 March 2020 - Rob Rose and Natalie Stoppard of Rosewood Farm on the Yorkshire Ings.
16 March 2020 - Tim Pears, novelist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
26 March 2020 - A short interview with Edward Davey of the World Resources Institute discussing agricultural concerns in the midst of COVID-19. Originally this interview was set to be recorded as a live event as part of the London Climate Change Festival which was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
31 March 2020 - a topical discussion with Luci Ryan, an ecologist for the Woodland Trust, about the tactics being taken to construct the British governments HS2 rail link and their plan to transplant ancient woodlands.
13, 15 & 17 April 2020 - Three interviews from the Castle Howard estate, with Nick Howard (the castle's inhabitant), Nick Cooke (the head of forestry) and Alastair Gunn (head of landscapes and gardens).
11 & 18 May 2020 - Eanna Ni Lamhna, Irish environmentalist, educator and broadcaster (a two-part interview).
25 May 2020 - Dara McAnulty, writer and naturalist who, at 15 years old, was the youngest recipient of the RSPB Medal.
1 June 2020 - An exploration of the work of the Langholm Moor community project.
8, 15 & 22 June 2020 - "Wildflower Women"; three interviews with ethnobotanist Jennie Martin, the founder of the Woodmeadow Trust, Rosalind Forbes Adam, and Shakespearian actor, Serena Manteghi.
31 Aug 2020, Georgina Lamb, CEO of David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, and granddaughter of David Shepherd.
14 Sept 2020 - Mark Carwardine returned to talk about his experiences on anti-poaching patrols.
17 Sept 2020 - Doug Allan, wildlife cameraman and photographer best known for his work in polar regions and underwater. Dr Guy Stevens from the Manta Trust launches the inaugural 'World Manta Day'.
28 Sept & 5 Oct 2020 - Dr George McGavin, entomologist, author, academic, television presenter and explorer.
Series three
The third series took on a different format (see below), but it did include three interviews in keeping with the original format of the podcast.
4 June 2021 - Richard Nairn, Irish environmentalist, writer and forester.
3 September 2021 - Peter Wohlleben, German forester and writer.
1 November 2022 - Dan Hooper, aka Swampy, environmentalist and activist.
6 December 2022 - Sarah Gillespie RWA, artist and printmaker.
10 & 17 January 2023 - Dr Trevor Dines, botanist & TV presenter.
7 February 2023 - Donovan Wright & Tom Gibbs, the Bison Rangers at the Wilder Blean project, and Kora Kunzmann, the Ecological Evidence and Academic Partnerships Lead at the Kent Wildlife Trust.
7 & 14 March 2023 - Chris Packham, naturalist and TV presenter.
6 June 2023 - Sophie Pavelle, Science communicator and writer.
5 October 2023 - Samuel West, actor, director and RSPB Ambassador. Recorded live at the Global Bird Fair in Rutland on 16 July 2023.
African specials
4 July 2023 - A record of a week spent in the Kunene Desert with Save the Rhino Trust Namibia.
11 July 2023 - Piet Beytell and Tommy Hall, the Chief Conservation Scientist at the Namibian Government's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, and a Wildlife Intelligence Officer, respectively.
1 August 2023 - Chris Fallows, conservationist, photographer and shark expert.
5 September 2023 - Nardstar, aka Nadia Fisher, artist and designer.
3 October 2023 - Paul Vorster, Director of Sanbona Nature and Wilderness Reserve.
Series five
7 November 2023 - Dr Paul Donald, Senior Scientist at Bird Life International.
5 December 2023 - Katie Holten, artist and environmental activist.
9 January 2024 - Dr Ruth Tingay, environmentalist and raptor conservationist.
13 February 2024 - Dr David Hetherington, ecologist and wild cat biologist.
12 March 2024 - Artist Andy Holden and Ornithologist Peter Holden.
Bonus episodes
7 October 2019 - An additional recording with Harry Barton of the Devon Wildlife Trust, released online through Soundcloud.[12] Recorded on the banks of the River Otter, Devon, by the site of a project to reintegrate wild beavers into the local environment.
22 April 2020 - Bella Hardy's new song 'Curlew', accompanied by her creative thoughts in writing the song.
7 Aug 2020 - An additional recording with Bryce Stewart, released online through Soundcloud, detailing how COVID-19 is affecting UK fisheries.
Live recordings
9 October 2019 - Recorded live at the 70th Cheltenham Literature Festival in partnership with the Woodland Trust, a discussion on “The Art of Trees” with Prof. Christiana Payne and Dr Angela Summerfield.[8] It was eventually broadcast on 14 October 2019.
10 January 2020 - Recorded live at The Open Book, Wigtown, an interview with Dr Cat Barlow of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project.[13] It was eventually broadcast on 20 January 2020.
1 November 2022 - Recorded live at Stanfords Travel Bookshop in Covent Garden, an interview with award-winning writer and science communicator, Sophie Pavelle. It was eventually broadcast on 6 June 2023.
16 July 2023 - Samuel West, actor, director and RSPB Ambassador. Recorded live at the 2023 Global Bird Fair in Rutland.
Series 3: "Oakes on Oaks: 56(ish) Native Trees"
As a result of restrictions put in place in response to the COVID pandemic of 2020/21, the third series of Trees a Crowd temporarily took on a different format. Instead of interviews, it provided short narrative accounts - scripted and produced by Oakes - of 'the secrets and stories beneath the native tree species to the British Isles'. The series explored the folklore, history, botany, art, music and literature associated with each tree, and was illuminated by anecdotes from Oakes' personal experience. The episodes also featured soundbites from previous guests of the show, and poetry and song recitals performed by acquaintances from across Oakes' theatrical career.
