Free Fruit, Public Trees

The Miami New Times Blog, Riptide, just discussed "The Grove Guy's" proposal for planting public fruit trees in Coconut Grove.

The big debate here seems to be maintenance. And I can imagine. If fruit trees are planted and later are not picked...you're going to have a rotting mess on your hands. But...what if it actually is a very successful project? Did you know there is actually a public fruit tree mapping project in LA? It is called Fallen Fruit, and it maps out every known public fruit tree in the area. They've now made public fruit their mission, "Our goal is to get people thinking about the life and vitality of our neighborhoods and to consider how we can change the dynamic of our cities and common values."

As far as the environment is concerned, eating locally is about the highest eco-impact you can achieve. And public fruit certainly is local.

What do you think about planting fruit trees in public places?

Comments

[Gus]

I think planting fruit trees is a great idea. Thanks for the tip about LA's Fallen Fruit Project. Miami should use that poject as an example.

[Manola BBB]

I foresee several problems:

Besides the rotting fruit, the liability from someone breaking their neck trying to pick fruit from the top of the tree (it requires certain skill, also you need a fruit picker). Also squirrels and other critters getting to them first, not to mention people who will then try to get as many as they can before everyone else to resell the fruit. There's also a maintanance issue. Trees need to be pruned and sometimes they get sick.

However, I'm all for anything that brings more trees, if they can make it work! Maybe like a fruit & spice park ... or like the strawberry picking farms down in Homestead. Even paying a nominal fee, would be very worth it!

I wonder, Rebecca, how many public fruit trees there are already?

[Gus]

"not to mention people who will then try to get as many as they can before everyone else to resell the fruit."

Spoken like a true local.

I see this type of thing very often in South Beach, men pushing shopping carts full of coconuts.

In Miami, if it ain't nailed down it's free.

We'll have to appoint fruit tree police to patrol the orchard.

[Dayngr]

I think it is a great idea. There are so many homeless and hungry here. It certainly can't hurt! Don't even get me started on street vendors!

[Dayngr]

I thought about this overnight, I think this needs much more publicity. I'm sure a couple hundred letters and a few hundred phone calls would change the Miami city commissioners' minds. I'm all for it.

Perhaps if we made it easier (by posing some info) for people to send a letter, fax or make a phone call voicing their opinion we could get some additional support for this project. I'm willing to bet not many even know about it.

[Freckle Face Girl]

I think it is a wonderful idea. With the demographics in Miami, I don't think rotting fruit will be an issue. If it is a concern, perhaps they should go with Mangos (local favorite).

[Rebecca Carter]

I really wouldn't mind if people picked it to resell it. At least it's local fruit.

Can anyone name existing public fruit trees? (Locations, etc?)

[julie Jailall]

I really like the idea of eating local.. Planting a fruit tree is good for eating local and fresh.

Where can I get free trees to plant?

[Rebecca Carter]

Check out Miami-Dade's Adopt-a-Tree Program

[ammmm]

i live in michigan