Picture yourself in Harlem in New York City, and it’s the 1920’s. There’s a cultural awakening going on - there’s jazz and dance, theater and literature, big celebrities and lots of new talent looking for a break. And of course - because this is a show about trees - there's a tree that becomes a symbol of the Harlem Renaissance. It’s the Tree of Hope, and it was a good luck charm to black performers looking to make the big time. Garden historian and storyteller Abra Lee tells the story of this particular tree’s rise to fame, its demise, and its enduring legacy.GuestAbra LeeGarden Historian, Horticulturist, ArboristAuthor of the forthcoming book, Conquer the Soil: Black America and the Untold Story of Our Country's Gardeners, Farmers, and Growers (2025)conquerthesoil.comConsulting EditorDavid Still, IIMusicDiccon Lee, www.deeleetree.comArtworkDahn Hiuni, www.dahnhiuni.com/homeWebsitethisoldtree.showFollow onFacebook @thisoldtreepodInstagram @thisoldtreepodMastodon @thisoldtree@sunny.gardenWe want to hear about the favorite tree in your life! To submit a 1-3 minute  audio story for consideration for the "Tree Story Short” segment on This Old Tree, record the story on your phone’s voice memo app and email to:doug@thisoldtree.netThis episode was written in part at the What Cheer Writers Club, Providence, RIhttps://whatcheerclub.spaces.nexudus.com/about