Project Title

EDIBLE PLANTS

Code

L6

Project summary

The provision of edible plants on roadsides with little traffic or along trails. Car pollution and potential dog soiling problems make it likely that only trees with edible fruit would be practical. Fruit trees such as apple, pear, plum, cherry and medlar, and nut trees such as walnut, sweet chestnut, hazel and cobnut are the best species for inclusion in this project. This fruit will be available for anyone walking along the street to pick.

Project management

The site should be checked for species suitability.
Big trees need more space and should be planted 10m away from buildings; the impact of shading should also be considered.
Tree planting procedure should be carefully considered to ensure the highest success rate.
Onward maintenance.
Encourage those living near by to adopt a tree or group of trees; this could help to protect them from vandalism.
Water during the summer using washing up water or bath water.
Remove tree ties as they grow.
Many of these trees will require pruning by a knowledgeable or trained person and preferably annually.

Project locations

Large and small sites.
Potential for planting across all SRB5 area.

Planning permission

NO

Project links

Health works and walks (A3)
Environmental stewards (A6)
Community tools (C1)
Community composting (C5)
Community orchard (L16)
Sustainability trail (T1)
Nature trail (T3)
Equestrian centre (V5)

Economic Implications

Funding - set up costs

Cost of trees, organic materials, tree ties and supports, cost of environmental stewards' time.

Funders: Aspects For Life, Esmee Fairburn, Local Projects Fund, South Yorkshire Forest (Countryside Agency Community Conservation grants)

Funding - running costs

Annual pruning and manure.

Employment

Environmental stewards with the help of local people and volunteers could undertake this work.

Tourism

Widespread planting of such trees will make the area more attractive and hence more inviting to tourists.

Social Implications

Community involvement

Community consultation is required to assess local people's reaction. Some objections may be raised about fruit and nuts lying on the ground. If strong local objections are raised in any area, then these areas can easily be omitted.

Schools involvement

Schools could help with planting of trees and collecting of fruit for eating, cooking or use in other community events.

Recreational benefits

These projects will brighten up streets, with blossom in spring and fruit in autumn. Fruit trees have traditional events associated with them that could be introduced.

Environmental Implications

Local Agenda 21

Locally available fruit and nuts are an ideal sustainable project. Traditional and rare local varieties could be planted and thus conserved.

Wildlife

The fruits and nuts on these trees will also be available for wildlife to eat.

Project viability

Constraints

Need for regular pruning and organic fertiliser.
Tree and planting costs.
Care needs to be taken where fruit trees are located - fallen fruit can be a hazard on paths.
Potential for some young trees to be vandalised, depending on location.