Fallen Fruit: Endless Orchards- 11/13/16- Cian Grourke

What We Did

On November 13, 2016, Effi, Mark, Pierce, and I helped out with Endless Orchard’s Fallen Fruit tree adoption. We met at the Bell Tower at 12:30 and met with Kathleen Grady and organizers from Endless Orchards. Dana, an arborist from Tree Philly, gave us detailed instructions on how to plant the trees that were being adopted. She emphasized how important it was to remove the cloth material holding the root system and to untangle the roots so that they would grow outwards instead of choking itself. We then helped bring various fruit trees and mulch into people’s cars. After all the trees were “adopted” by caring Philadelphians, we planted our own trees. At the corner of N 11th Street and Pollett Walk, we planted three black cherry trees. We named them Leo, Kate, and Hooty.

Course Concepts in Action

I saw the planting of trees on Temple’s campus as fitting into the Greenworks Plan for Tree Initiative for 30% tree coverage. It also can be applied to its fair and equal access to parks within walking distance, but instead it adds to one’s ability to get equal access to fresh fruit. This is a source of urban farming; it's a way for Implementation of Philadelphia Greenworks Plan for 30% tree coverage (Tree Initiative). Temple University Main Campus does not have any trees that produce fruit so these trees added to the campus’s biodiversity. When we spoke to Dana, she told us about how using fertilizers would not help the tree in its first three years. It would actually hinder its growth, causing its tips to grow disproportionately to the rest of the tree, making it easier for it to fall in storms or cause pressure to its roots. The same goes for trees that are planted too deep. Their roots would not be able to get the nutrients it needs to establish itself in the ground, which could lead to root rot.

• Speculate: what do you think the impact will be?
• I think the planting of these trees will allow for an increased pride in being Temple Made for the cherries they provide as well as provide a beautiful foliage and flowers. It will also provide fresh cherries for students and North Philadelphia residents in the spring. I think that it will also cause for there to be conversations about obtaining fresh fruit and the benefits of eating locally.

• What did you do at the event that made you feel that you made a difference and why?
• Being around the people from Endless Orchard gave me great optimism in what they were doing for the community. They were just very optimistic people and made my day interacting with them.

• Describe the most difficult/satisfying aspects of your urban greening stewardship work?
• The most satisfying aspect of our urban stewardship work for Endless Orchard was seeing the trees planted and knowing that they will provide a beautiful space for students now and in the future. I also enjoyed talking with the volunteers and workers for the event. They were very positive and helped me feel empowered to be stewards in my own communities. The most difficult part was just getting over the awkwardness of meeting new people and learning something I was not familiar with before, which was also exciting in itself.