How it works

1. We record stories as interviews...

We use audio interviews to discover people’s stories. Interview formats include:

We can interview you,
You can do the interview with a family member or friend (one person interviewing, and the other telling their story), or
You can have 2 people telling a story together.

2. Choose a story to share...

To get ideas for possible topics, scroll down or CLICK HERE to see some suggested interview themes. We also provide suggestions for questions that your interviewer can ask you.

3. Schedule a session...

In-person,
By phone, or
Online via Zoom (only sound will be archived, no video).

We'll provide more details and suggested questions to ask during the interview.

We can record stories up to 40 minutes long (or make 2 episodes if it's longer...)

Allow 10 minutes before the interview, and 5 minutes afterwards, to get set up and go over the process.

4. Have your story archived and shared!!!

We will send you a permission form to choose how your story will be shared. Stories are archived through our website and the national non-profit StoryCorps Project, where we have a special community page set up for this project.

You can decide whether to:

Share your story publicly through TREE LIFE STORY website and the StoryCorps archives, or
Archive your story, but keep it private (not publicly visible).

All interviews (public or private) are preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

We will take a picture, or you can send us a picture, to post along with your story. You will receive a digital copy of the interview to keep and share however you wish.

Story Ideas

Stories Starring Trees

Do you remember a special tree, plant, or woods in your life or family history? What did it mean to you?

Do you have a story where trees were silent witnesses to an important event in your life or the past?

Green Wisdom

Is there a time when you learned something new or special about a tree or plant?

Or maybe you have a story about a tree or plant that taught YOU something important about life?

Family Trees & Roots

Do you have a mystery, a discovery, or an interesting feature in your family tree?

Do you have a story about your roots, or being uprooted, or planting new seeds in life?

Other Ways to Tell a Story

Stories can be told in many ways! If you have an idea for a written or visual contribution, such as a short story, photo, artwork, poem, essay, or blog re-posting that tells a story of a tree or trees, please contact us to propose your idea!