Tuesday Udell, Senior Policy Advisor Heart Foundation Barriers and solutions to using fruit and nut trees in streets and parks Tuesday Udell, Senior Policy Advisor

STREET TREES There is nothing new about the concept of street trees planted outside our homes on the verge. They are chosen by the council, sometimes with input from the residents and then maintained by the council, or resident under an adopt-a-tree scheme. Barbara Hardy Institute http://www.unisa.edu.au/barbarahardy/ Photographer: John Hodgson

PRODUCTIVE STREET TREES Source: Oxigen Productive street trees refer to trees that are planted along streets and in parks and produce fruit or nuts which can be picked eaten and shared by the public. The idea is to supplement urban fresh food production (HF supports increasing fruit and veg intake), normalise the growing of food, educate the community about growing food, encourage people to grow their own food, to share and celebrate food and to enjoy the aesthetics as well.

PRODUCTIVE STREET TREES IN ADELAIDE We don’t have many examples here in Adelaide already, We have very old olive trees planted around North Adelaide and the River Torrens Some businesses have grape vines planted on trellis These orange trees are on the street in Glandore outside of the community centre Unley council is planting 100 fruit and nut trees in Ramage Street Park.

PRODUCTIVE STREET TREES IN ADELAIDE This is the Hassell vision of Bowden where we see fruit trees in the street and shared vegetable gardens as well.

Document aims to combine the food and planning needs of cities Released in 2011 Known as FSPUD Document aims to combine the food and planning needs of cities A key proposal of the document is planners consider productive street trees Opportunities? Practicalities? The advocacy document Food Sensitive Planning and Urban Design was released in 2011 – It was the result of a collaboration between the heart foundation, Victorian eco innovation lab and VicHealth. The document known as FSPUD aims to put food back into planning and wants planners to think and plan for the security of our urban food supply. It suggests that urban design guidelines include fruit and nut trees in streets and parks But why haven’t councils taken this up before now? We wanted to find out what was stopping them and explore opportunities further.

PROJECT AIM Identify barriers that local government face in planting productive trees To create a list of suitable productive trees that would meet council existing tree planting criteria We conducted a small project – interviewed 6 councils – mostly arborists or parks managers

BARRIERS Rotting fruit on the ground Ownership issues Pests, including birds Vandalism and theft of the trees Specialised pruning skills required Species with vigorous root system will uproot paths These trees not drought tolerant Slip and trip hazard of falling fruit These are some of the perceived barriers for the councils The attitude of the councils is that it would be too hard It should be done through community gardens There may be ownership issues with residents thinking they own the trees – or some people may strip the tree and sell the fruit Or there may be no ownership and fruit falls to the ground and rots, becoming a slip hazard Birds might come People will steal the trees or rip branches off of them to get the fruit Children will climb the trees to get the fruit The trees will die because of lack of water and anyway no-one will know how to prune them

PRODUCTIVE STREET TREES SOLUTIONS - PRODUCTIVE STREET TREES Source: Wallbrink Landscape Architecture Productive street trees should be regarded just as other street trees and meet the councils general tree planting criteria – such as climate suitability, be long-lived, drought tolerant. Not have thorns or be poisonous, be readily available to buy and be able to be planted at an advanced size, not be prone to limb shearing, or have suckering habit. In addition it can be pruned or chosen for the height restrictions, not have large vigorous root system and provide shade. With regard to falling fruit, slip and trip hazards, we believe that planted in busy thoroughfares will ensure the fruit is picked or else located in playgrounds, or around sports fields where the fruit could safely drop or be picked. All of the other barriers are issues that occur with ANY tree, such as with seeds, leaves and pods falling from the trees.

OPPORTUNITIES Councils need support and encouragement Develop case studies Conducting workshops with councils – clarify misconceptions, address key issues Parks and gardens have less perceived risk Ideal location near schools and along walking routes

SUITABLE TREES No tree is perfect! Park Street Fig Apple Walnut Pear Almond Apricot plum Loquat No tree is perfect! Street Apple Pear Nashi pear Pomegranate (no shade) Orange Apricot plum Feijoa

THANK YOU Acknowledgements Natalie Sheppard – Nutrition and Dietetics Wendy Keech – Heart Foundation SA Local Councils This is the Hassell vision of Bowden where we see fruit trees in the street and shared vegetable gardens as well.