1. 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

2. 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 Photographer: John Hodgson

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.