Jules Acton: Oak Trees and the Hidden Worlds Within | Episode 174Jules Acton: Oak Trees and the Hidden Worlds Within | Episode 174
Brain Shaman
Michael Waite and environmentalist Jules Acton talk about the hidden lives supported by oak trees, from tiny wasps and butterflies to fungi and folklore. Their conversation links ancient trees, climate pressures and simple everyday actions to better brain health and a deeper feeling of connection.
54:51•17 Jun 2026
Oak Trees, Hidden Ecosystems and Human Wellbeing with Jules Acton
Episode Overview
- Ancient oak trees support over 2,300 species, with more than 300 relying on them completely, so losing oaks means losing entire communities of life.
- Time in woodlands can lower stress and support heart and lung health, making regular walks among trees a simple mental health tool.
- Protecting ancient oaks means giving them space, light and safeguarding their roots from trampling and insensitive development.
- Climate change is shifting spring earlier, putting caterpillars and the birds that depend on them out of sync, so linking habitats with hedgerows and new woods helps species adapt.
- Planting nectar-rich flowers at home or in community spaces and keeping something in bloom year-round offers essential food for insects and other wildlife.
“"It's astonishing that one plant can do that amount of heavy lifting in nature."”
How do people find strength in quiet moments under ancient trees? Brain Shaman host Michael Waite sits down with British environmentalist and author Jules Acton for a gentle, curious wander through the "hidden, enchanting worlds" of oak trees and why they matter so much for brains, bodies and ecosystems. Jules talks about growing up with a beloved Bramley apple tree, then later living near Sherwood Forest, home to nearly a thousand ancient oaks.
She explains that UK oaks support more than 2,300 other species and that over 300 of those are completely dependent on them. As she puts it, "it's astonishing that one plant can do that amount of heavy lifting in nature." You’ll hear how tiny oak gall wasps helped fuel human history by creating galls that became the basis of ink for Shakespeare, the American Declaration of Independence and more.
From elusive purple hairstreak butterflies that look like "silver coins dropping down from the tree" to lichens used as dyes and nesting material for birds, the conversation keeps revealing new layers of life most people never notice. The chat also touches on sobering themes: low UK tree cover, insensitive development, imported tree diseases, and climate change knocking natural timings out of sync.
Yet Jules keeps circling back to what people can actually do: protect ancient oaks from trampling, link habitats with hedgerows and small woods, and, as gardener Chris Beardshaw suggests, aim to "have a flower in flower every day of the year" to support insects. For anyone interested in mental health, recovery, or just feeling less disconnected, this relaxed, story-rich conversation shows how spending time with trees can lower stress and spark a powerful sense of connection.
After reading about acorn bread, fairy doors and near-immortal oaks, you might look at the next street tree you pass in a very different way. Which tree in your own past quietly held some of your happiest moments?
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