Jim Mulholland is a bat and veteran tree specialist with a knack for leaving a big impression through the expert talks and training courses he delivers.

In this wide-ranging interview, recorded at Savernake Forest, Tom and Jim cover everything from bat poo, bat discos and Batman to neurodiversity in the scientific communities Jim is a part of and why Die Hard's opening scene is something we could all learn a thing or two from.

Sign up for Jim's Bats & Trees Masterclass training here: https://bats.thinkific.com/courses/Bats-and-Trees-Masterclass

Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

Nobody knows Epping Forest quite like Andy Froud, a man who has spent the past quarter century looking after its 55,000 veteran trees and getting up close and personal with the super-rare wildlife that lives in and alongside them.

Tom and Andy chat about his early years spent in West Ham Park, the challenges of managing a vast ancient forest just 15 miles from Big Ben and how to correctly identify a daddy long legs.

Learn more about Epping Forest here: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/epping-forest/how-we-manage-epping-forest

Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast

Lynne Boddy is Professor of Mycology at Cardiff University and has been a true pioneer in progressing our knowledge of much maligned but essential tree and forest fungal communities for the past 50 years.

Tom and Lynne discuss some of the strangest and rarest fungi hiding in our woods, why the Wood Wide Web concept definitely needs more work and dive deep into the unsexy world of rot and wood decay.

Check out Lynne’s brilliant videos on wood decay and tree fungi as part of Ancient Tree Forum’s VETcert course resources here: https://www.ancienttreeforum.org.uk/resources/videos/vetcert-further-guidance-on-veteran-tree-management/

Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast