"It's like the gardener's version of graffiti," says one. In San Francisco, activists hope to transform once-purely ornamental street trees into fruit-bearing ones, to provide fresh fruit to the local community.
In the Bay Area, with the help of some DIY activists, urban agriculture is expanding out of vacant lots and backyards, and into the parkway. As 'urban orchards' grow in favor and practice in several U.S. cities, guerrilla grafters in San Francisco are taking urban orchard-ing into their own hands, by 'splicing' existing ornamental trees with fruit-bearing ones. Supporters hope to expand access to fresh fruit across the city.
"First a slit is made in the host tree," writes Los Angeles Times' Maria L. La Ganga about the splicing technique. "Then the alien branch is whittled into a pointed wedge. The grafter inserts the wedge and matches up the elements' nutrient-transporting layers before securing the area with tape."
But not all are happy about the guerrilla tree reclamation effort. San Francisco, like many cities, doesn't allow fruit trees in parkways, "fearing the mess, the rodents and the lawsuits that might follow," writes La Ganga. Stilll, the fruit tree-lovers may find hope in the fact that city tree crews have not "formally" removed any of the group's tree grafts, allowing the activists to continue their crusade.
FULL STORY: In San Francisco, a secret project bears fruit
Best Ideas of the Week
Another week has passed, and some more exciting and interesting ideas have taken root in the world of urban planning.
Urban Forestry Plans Obstructed by Urban Development Plans in D.C.
Growth and development are the biggest obstacles to Washington, D.C.'s plans to add more than 10,000 trees every year over the next 25 years.
Dallas Considers a Major Revision to its Tree Ordinance
Neither environmentalists nor developers like the city’s current regulations around tree removal, but there is praise on both sides for the “smart and nimble” new version.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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