What’s going on
Silver Falls Winter Festival
I’m going to be giving two walks at Silver Falls!
I’m joining up with Friends of Silver Falls to provide two tree walks during the Winter Festival, which I am very excited about.
We’ll be covering how to identify our native trees as well as some fun stories to go along with them Come join!
Author Talk In Lacey, WA
Come see me in Lacey, Washington!
Ever wonder what kind of tree is growing in your neighborhood or why it’s there in the first place? Join arborist, educator, and podcast host Casey Clapp for an engaging talk and Q&A about the trees that surround us every day. Based on his visually rich and witty new book The Trees Around You, this event will help you learn how to identify trees in the Pacific Northwest using bark, leaves, cones, and other key clues.
Books will be available for purchase, courtesy of Plant from Underhill.
Online Winter Tree ID Series: Pt I
Join us!
Identifying trees can be extra challenging in the winter time, but it is no less important. This tree ID short course series will help keep those skills sharp all year round. Designed to fit into a busy schedule and to follow the basic tree ID courses taught in the summer, this four-part series covers the basics for winter tree identification: what to look for, what to be wary about, and how to use what you see to nail the species. Each course will cover a group of species in-depth so you know what you're looking for. In part I we'll be going over the more common oak species, maple species, and their kin.
Online Winter Tree ID Series: Pt II
Join us!
Identifying trees can be extra challenging in the winter time, but it is no less important. This tree ID short course series will help keep those skills sharp all year round. Designed to fit into a busy schedule and to follow the basic tree ID courses taught in the summer, this four-part series covers the basics for winter tree identification: what to look for, what to be wary about, and how to use what you see to nail the species. Each course will cover a group of species in-depth so you know what you're looking for. In part II we'll be going over the more common elms, lindens and ashes and their lookalikes.
In Person: Conifer ID Course - Seattle
Identifying the trees you are working with is the first step in proper tree identification. After learning the basics, the next step is learning which trees are around you and how to tell them apart. This course focuses on how to separate and identify the many conifers we have in our region, focusing on the traits that will help you quickly and confidently narrow down your species options and ultimately pinpoint the species with ease.
Limited spots, so sign up now!!
In Person: Conifer ID Course - Boise
Identifying the trees you are working with is the first step in proper tree identification. After learning the basics, the next step is learning which trees are around you and how to tell them apart. This course focuses on how to separate and identify the many conifers we have in our region, focusing on the traits that will help you quickly and confidently narrow down your species options and ultimately pinpoint the species with ease.
Limited spots, so sign up now!!
Online Winter Tree ID Series: Pt III
Join us!
Identifying trees can be extra challenging in the winter time, but it is no less important. This tree ID short course series will help keep those skills sharp all year round. Designed to fit into a busy schedule and to follow the basic tree ID courses taught in the summer, this four-part series covers the basics for winter tree identification: what to look for, what to be wary about, and how to use what you see to nail the species. Each course will cover a group of species in-depth so you know what you're looking for. In part III we'll be going over the flowering trees that are about take off including cherries, plums, and their kin, as well as a few other confusing small flowering trees.
In Person: Conifer ID Course - Oregon City
Identifying the trees you are working with is the first step in proper tree identification. After learning the basics, the next step is learning which trees are around you and how to tell them apart. This course focuses on how to separate and identify the many conifers we have in our region, focusing on the traits that will help you quickly and confidently narrow down your species options and ultimately pinpoint the species with ease.
Limited spots, so sign up now!!
Wild Arts Festival
I’m so excited to be joining the Wild Arts Festival this winter to talk about The Trees Around You and birds!
It’s going to be a fabulous time, so come see some great art, chat with me about trees, and let’s get wild.
These are from a bird!
The Tree’s Agenda at Good Year Farm
I’m doing a tree talk at Good Year Farm! If you haven’t heard or been, it’s such a delightful native plant nursery in Clark Country. They put on a great brunch series in the fall, and I’m stoked to join them on November 22 to talk trees, conservation, identification, and tasty food. Come join and say hi!
I’ll be selling and signing books, too, so come get yours!
BOOK TOUR: Broadway Books in Portland, OR
Join me in Portland at Broadway books to chat about The Trees Around You!
I’ll be hanging out and going over what inspired me to write this silly guide and I’ll answer all your questions.
BOOK TOUR: Third Place Books in Seattle, WA with Taha Ibrahimi
Join me in Seattle with the incredible Taha Ibrahimi, author of Street Trees of Seattle!
It’s going to be a very cozy hang at Third Place Books (the Seward Park location).
We’re going to chat about The Trees Around You, trees in general, and you bet your butt I’m going to get her to tell us where all the coolest street trees are in town.
This event is free and open to the public. For important updates, RSVP is highly recommended in advance. This event will include a public signing and time for audience Q&A.
Book Tour: Olympia
I am stoked to head to Orca Books Cooperative, I have been there more than once as a patron, and now I get to join as an author!
Come say hi and chat about trees with me.
BOOK Tour: Tacoma
I’ll be speaking with the Mountaineers - Tacoma Chapter all about trees and how to identify them.
Why should you know your trees? How do you start? What is my book even about!? Come see me!
BOOK TOUR: Orcas Island!
Night two! We’ll be doing a book talk and a book signing at the Orcas Island Library and we cannot be more excited!
BOOK TOUR: Orcas Island!
Alex and I will be on Orcas Island for two nights talking about trees, about books, and doing some treeeeeevia!!!
Come join and spend some island time with us!
A Walk Amongst Giants: A Survey of the Trees of the Cascades
I’m collaborating with the
Mount St. Helens Institute for their Brews and Views Series! Come hang for the evening and learn about the trees of the Cascades!
The Cascade Mountains are emblematic of our region not only because of their dramatic volcanos, but also because of the unique forests that blanket their slopes. Who are these trees? What makes them so exceptional? Join me on a traverse up the mountainside and back down again getting to know each and every species you encounter along the way.
What Trees Do in the Fall
It’s the time of year that trees get ready for the winter.
But what exactly does that mean?
Different trees do different things to prepare for the changing of the seasons, and this talk will explore what different trees do as the seasons change. Join me to explore how Hoyt Arboretum’s collection begins to look different this time of year.
BOOK LAUCH AT POWELL’S BOOKS! WITH ALEX!!
MY BOOK JUST CAME OUT!!
Holy heck, and friggin
POWELL’S BOOKS IN PORTLAND WANTS TO HOST ME FOR A BOOK SIGNING/CHAT/HANG/PARTY(?)
Come out and hang with Alex and I as we chat about trees, Completely Arbortrary, and of course, my new tree identification book The Trees Around You.
I’ll sign every single book that is put in front of me.
Pacific Northwest Booksellers Tradeshow
You guys! I’m going to a tradeshow for BOOKS!! They chose me as an ‘author on the map’ which is essentially an author with a new book they think could be a HIT! Who would have imagined? I’m beyond excited. If you’re a book person or know people who are, tell them about this event!
A featured event at our show for more than twenty years, Authors on the Map promotes newer Northwest authors who have written a potential breakout book. Ten authors each have exactly 5 minutes to promote themselves and their new title. Help booksellers get excited about your book with a glance behind the curtain: stories about the book, how you wrote it, and any gold nuggets not included in the pages that they can share with their employees and customers.
PWN Conifers Walk!
Conifer Walk at Hoyt Arboretum
The Pacific Northwest is world famous for conifers, and these unique trees are botanically some of the most unique and ancient of modern plants. Hoyt Arboretum’s conifer collection includes our spectacular native species and many species from all across the world. Join arborist Casey Clapp of podcast Completely Arbortrary to explore our collection, learn key ways to identify different species, and spotlight his (unabashed) favorite type of trees.
Class size is limited and pre-registration is required
Registrations close Friday, August 15th at 4:00pm
Details will be emailed closer to the program date
Thigmomorphogenesis, or why most trees don't fall over
Back by popular demand!
Have you ever noticed a tree not fall over? A tree’s natural state is upright—it’s their default mode. Yet, myths pervade:
“You should thin your tree”
“You should top your tree”
“Douglas-firs have shallow roots”
“Lone trees are more likely to fall”
“The roots will ruin my foundation”
“That tree will fall and kill my whole family”
Despite the ubiquity of normal, upright trees around us, we often only notice those scattered few that stop being upright, most often in extreme weather. And frankly, those few sully the good reputation of the thousands of others.
In the Pacific Northwest, our trees grow to be some of the tallest and largest organisms on the planet, and that can be understandably intimidating as you watch them bend and sway during winter weather from your home. Luckily, our trees did not achieve their prominence by accident, and this talk will explain what the trees are doing, how they react to their environment, and what you can do to make sure your trees are safe.
How does a tree build itself? How does it choose which direction to grow? Is it a giant, static monolith waiting to crush everything beneath it? or a dynamic, self-optimizing living system that wants to keep itself upright arguably more than you? Join us on a journey through the lifecycle of a tree: how it grows, lives, and dies. In other words: how do trees become trees and what makes them so good at it?
An arborist, a dendrologist, and educator, Casey Clapp is the principal consultant with Portland Arboriculture and co-host/co-creator of CompletelyArbortrary, a weekly podcast about trees and other related topics. He’s also the author of the forthcoming book The Trees Around You: How to identify common neighborhood trees in the Pacific Northwest. Casey holds degrees in Forestry and Environmental Conservation, and he’s an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Qualified Tree Risk Assessor, and Municipal Specialist. Find him on social media @clapp4trees or reach him at casey@pdxarbor.com.
This is a repeat of the show at Kiggins Theatre 2/12/25
Tree Soaking Trivia
Like forest bathing, but way better.
My friend Dan and I are putting on a tree trivia night this weekend at Arbor Beer Lodge! The announcement says it all:
$10 buy in that comes with a chance to win prizes including Completely Arbortrary tree-shirts, stickers, and even a private tree walk with Dan and Casey
Sunday May 4
6-9 pm
Categories to study up on:
Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll
Rock and Roll, Drugs, and Sex
Famous Trees
Tasty Treets
Can’t wait to see you there. Show up early, socialize, and snag a beer!
White Pine Trail Tree Walk at Hoyt Arboretum!
White Pine Trail Tree Walk at Hoyt Arboretum!
Flowering Trees Walk at Hoyt Arboretum (Copy)
Flowering Trees Tree Walk Looking at Flowers!
OUR LIFE IN TREES - A TREE SCIENCE & CULTURAL CARE WORKSHOP FOR THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY
OUR LIFE IN TREES - A TREE SCIENCE & CULTURAL CARE WORKSHOP FOR THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY
Portland Botanical Garden Plant Stroll
I’ve partnered with the Portland Botanical Garden to put on a plant stroll! Come join us.
This stroll will take place on August 26th at Overlook Park. We will meet by the pavilion; check out the map in our photo reel for reference! Please plan to arrive a few minutes early for an orientation so that we can begin promptly at 10:00am. Strolls are two hours long, from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Our pace will be slow and leisurely, primarily on grass and pavement. One section is a gentle switchback climb on pea gravel that will take us out of the park and into the surrounding neighborhood. If you want to avoid this, our guides can direct you to an alternate path to meet up with the group again. As much as we love dogs, please leave your furry friend at home for this event. Service animals as defined by the ADA are welcome.
We suggest a donation of $5 or more per ticket for folks that have the expendable financial resources to do so. Your donation creates the capacity to build our plant stroll program and to ensure that learning about plants is accessible to all, including those experiencing financial hardship or insecurity.
Tree Walk At Hoyt Arboretum!
Come learn about leaves. They aren’t always what you expect…
Flowering Trees Walk at Hoyt Arboretum
Flowering plants took the world by storm when they come on the seen some 275 million years ago. Since then, they have diversified to almost every conceivable form and have made an art out of partnership. This course will take a stroll through Hoyt Arboretum’s flowering tree collections and discuss what flowers are exactly and how they work. We’ll discuss the impact their evolution has has on the world around us.
