In fact with a little effort, a city with fruit trees can be a food forest.
Social Change Through Fruit Trees
Tara expressed concern that the public at large is disconnected from public spaces. This disconnect arises in part because citizens don’t have any responsibility in the public space. She explained that the Guerilla Grafters hope to instill ‘a sense of responsibility to care for what is in the public realm’ through the act of ‘editing’ their neighborhood space by grafting. But she clarified that they are ‘not necessarily for (citizen) responsibility without participation in the decision-making.’
Beyond grafting for fruit production, caretakers and grafters make the effort to see that the trees are pruned and watered as needed and keep them healthy. They are invested in an activity that is ultimately a public good.
Data Gathering in San Francisco’s Microclimates
Another interesting piece to the Guerrilla Grafters’ mission is that they are beginning to collect data about the trees they have grafted. They want to monitor how well the trees produce certain varieties of fruit, including the quality. The results of this research should be helpful for urban gardeners in San Francisco, which is well known for its varied microclimates. She is seeking help with their Web site to enable this data-gathering project.
The Grinch Who Hacked Trees
There's a video in this post showcasing what the Guerilla Grafting group does.