Comments on: Nurturing Urban and Local Sustainability: A Fruit Tree Grows in Boston

By: Robin

Robin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:58:56 +0000

There’s an iPhone app called Find Fruit that allows you to find fruit trees on public lands: “Find Fruit unlocks cities, enabling you to explore in new ways. Instead of being trapped in the concrete jungle, this app is your key to the edible urban forest! Find Fruit helps you find fresh fruit growing down the street and learn more about fruit trees.”

By: Jenny (writer of this post)

Jenny (writer of this post) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:02:12 +0000

@ Leonard –

In terms of planting trees in Boston, the city Parks department is responsible. The rep from the dept. said that they plant crab apple and cherry species – basically only species that have “high tolerance for growing in bad environments and don’t produce a lot of litter”. I suppose that’s why planting public fruit trees in general is not encouraged or popular. If residents or non-profit organizations want to plant their own fruit trees (only the qualified species mentioned before) on specific properties, they would need to file a request (followed by inspection) to the Parks dept. – only if the desired planting location also meets a set of requirements listed here: http://www.cityofboston.gov/Parks/StreetTrees/seasonal.asp. I think the one most relevant to your question about the street-side right-of-ways grass strips is the one saying that the adjacent sidewalks would have to be at least 6-foot-wide excluding curb; essentially, just a lot of specific requirements.

The guy also mentioned how non-profits can request grants from the Parks dept. for planting appropriate fruit trees at appropriate sites. I think the Boston fruit tree regulations are a little more welcoming, but the obvious, extensive list of requirements and general bureaucracy would deter some enthusiasm.

@ Shane & Bridget – absolutely.

By: Bridget Willard

Bridget Willard — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:04:05 +0000

It’s a great way to teach the lesson of perseverance and hard work… it always bears fruit.

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:14:50 +0000

I have gotten lucky today and have read some pretty inspiring posts. It gives me hope for our environment and our people.in

By: Leoanrd Barrett @ Permaculture for Renters

Leoanrd Barrett @ Permaculture for Renters — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:30:07 +0000

Are there any laws on the books in Boston that prohibit the planting of fruit trees in street-side right-of-ways? (The grass strips between the sidewalk and the road.)

We have a rarely-inforced law here in Portland (OR), and although it usually isn’t enforced, and home-owners rarely comply with it, it has stopped local non-profits with missions similar to EarthWorks’ from planting in these areas, due to liability concerns.

Parking strips strike me as some of the most fertile ground for urban edible landscaping for two reasons: 1) it puts food production into the commons, and 2) any trees planted there help mitigate the urban heat island effect by shading the streets.

Neat post, great organization! Very Inspiring.