Trees for Homes

Trees For Homes

Project 2013-04-18 04:55:24 +1200

The 'Trees for Homes' project is an idea of Vanessa Witt from the Greenhaus, near Taihape. As the name suggests, this project aims to get more useful, productive trees into the under-utilised spaces around people's homes, with the long-term goal of creating a diverse and resilient community food resource to share.

But it is more than simply handing over a fruit tree to someone and saying 'There you go!'. With the 'Trees for Homes' project, Vanessa will take the fruit tree, a group of companion plants and the mulch materials to a home and work alongside the home gardener to create a complete system that will help to establish and maintain the tree. As well as giving the tree the best possible start in its new home, the most important benefits of this process come from the social connections that are made, the ideas and skills that are shared, and the seed of giving and sharing that is sown in the community. It is based on the permaculture ethics of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share.

This planting season (autumn-winter) Vanessa's goal is to find new homes for 30 trees in the Rangitikei-Manawatu area. Homes currently without any fruit trees will be given priority, but the most important requirements will be the willingness to care for the tree and to share the future harvests.

Vanessa is seeking funds to help cover the cost of the plants and mulching materials used at each home. Time and transport costs are being donated by Vanessa. Any funds raised beyond the target will be used to plant more trees in homes.

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