NEW YORK, June 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Since 1976, Trees New York has worked to plant, preserve and protect New York City's urban forest. Now it is time to bear fruit. This June, Trees New York and volunteers planted four fruit trees in community gardens in East Harlem to launch "FruiTrees New York"!
The FruiTrees New York initiative will increase the canopy cover and provide neighborhood residents with access to fresh and healthy food. In an effort to engage the community from planting to harvest, Trees New York invited the public to participate in the planting events to promote environmental awareness and food literacy.
The planting goal of the FruiTrees New York initiative is to plant 65 new fruit trees this spring and fall. Participants will help plant the fruit trees while they learn how trees benefit urban areas, tree biology, fruit production and an overview of urban forestry and agriculture. TreesNY will work with gardeners to develop a harvest and fruit distribution plan.
Fruit tree plantings will include apple, cherry, plum, aprium, paw paw and serviceberry. Excess fruit or fruit unfit for consumption will be composted for use in the gardens.
"The objective of the FruiTrees New York initiative is to establish urban orchards throughout New York City as we use the fruit trees as a vehicle to promote environmental awareness, education and food literacy." - Nelson Villarrubia, Deputy Director of Trees New York
Trees New York will use its 36 years of experience of expanding and protecting the urban forest to aid the nascent urban agriculture movement in New York City.
Learn more about FruiTrees New York on Trees New York's facebook page and website www.treesny.org.
This project was partially funded by ACTrees, USDA People's Garden and the City Gardens Club of New York.
Contact Information:
Nelson Villarrubia
Trees New York
1 Chambers Street, Suite 1412A
New York, NY 10007
T: (212) 227-1887
F: (212) 732-5325
nelson@treesny.org
SOURCE Trees New York
