Urgent! We should put fruit/nut trees in schools & parks!!

[Samarkis]

Urgent ! Let's put fruit/nut trees in schools & parks!!

FOR THE USA.....................................
Would you contact me or yr local Ag. extension about this??!!??

LET'S PUT FOOD TREES ON PUBLIC PROPERTIES!!!!!

We can plant fruit tree/nut trees in all city/state parks & public schools & libraries to help alleviate food shortages for poor families!!! (or all of us-if the power grid goes down!!)

These places already have maintainance, however, in EACH county of the USA there are extension offices of Agriculture that are from the LAND GRANT UNIVERSITIES that Pres. Lincoln set up after the civil war to ensure food supply for the people recovering from Civil War!!
AND it is all still active!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALSO!! We can help Vets & New Vets by people donating fruit trees of special propogation(Air Layering) that within ONE YEAR the new trees will bear fruit!!!!!!!!! We can plant these at every SALVATION ARMY & VETERANS Buildings across the USA!!! Within ONE YEAR!!!!

For anyone interested!!! Pls call for USA only at my cell & others from other countries...you can reach me at my e-mail!

Sara....718-808-5661
E-mail: Samarkis@yahoo.com
Ps.- I am a Master Gardener Volunteer....The extension offices in every county are sytems that are already in place & can ensure the viability of the trees!! Schools already ask the extension offices to help with butterfly gardens....is it too much of a stretch that fruit/nut trees be put onto public & publicly maintained properties????? And it will help the Ozone Layer! & Carbon reduction ( greenhouse gases!!!) Pls contact me if you are interested !!! Let's do this People!!!

OTHER COUNTRIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLS contact yr local botanical gardens (or e-mail me) on techniques to rapidly produce fruit & nut trees!!! We should be planting them in every public place: Schools,Parks,City Halls,etc....
And the trees reduce Carbon !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's go People!!

[happyhollergal]

While that appears to be a helpful idea, the city and county officials don't want hungry people on public property. Just last week, I read an article about a restaurant owner in Miami who has been feeding the homeless every day for awhile, but the city shut down his charitable giving from his heart because the neighbors complained. The city gave him the option of buying a daily permit at the cost of $150 a pop, or shutting down. Guess what happened? The neighbors got what they wanted; for the hungry to go elsewhere. And while the trees are such a great idea for plans of the future, people can't wait a year to eat. In the case of peach trees, I just planted 40 this past year, but it takes 4 years for them to fruit. I would love to be able to feed everyone, everywhere who is hungry. I just don't see planting the beauties on public property as the answer. Never give up trying to help. You are full of light and will find the answers. Have a happy day!

[Samarkis]

The beauty of Air layering propogation is to take a branch from a tree that is fruit producing already & make a rooting(I will post technique soon) and within one year it is fruiting as the branch thinks it's still part of the mother tree....no waiting 4-8 years!!!

[Samarkis]

Pls PUSH this ....not give excuses!! WE the People!!

[Samarkis]

Air layering technique for fast propogation: (Of Fruit Trees)


This goes for MOST Fruit & Nut Trees....Unless hot area....springtime is best time to start these.....when sap is rising....


Air Layering Lychee Trees
By Bill Mee and Krystal Folino



An air layer is a way to create a new mature lychee tree from the branch of an existing one while it is still attached to the parent tree. Since this process occurs in the foliar branches, suspended in air above the ground, it is referred to as "air" layering. The resulting tree is the same species and cultivar as the parent, rather than a hybrid with questionable fruit and growing characteristics.

When new trees are propagated in this fashion the resulting fruit is identical in taste, color, texture and maturing characteristics as the parent tree. This is especially important because the fruit of trees grown from seed often have widely varying characteristics.

When you find a tree with a desirable fruit or other feature it is highly advantageous to recreate this tree within a short time frame rather than the 10 - 15 years typical of the seed to fruit time span documented for Lychees.

An air layered tree is, in actuality, a fully mature tree that will begin bearing fruit immediately. For practical reasons though, small air layered trees should be kept from bearing fruit until they gain some reasonable size.


How do you make an air layer and what is the best practice. (how to select a branch, the optimal time of year, the rooting mix and rooting hormones)

Selection of branch
Bifurcated or trifurcated
Trunk
Short trunk for grove
Long trunk for decorative
½ to 1 inch in diameter


Creating an air layer is a relatively easy process that can result in a well proportioned, healthy new tree, if performed correctly.

Selection of the branch that will become the air layer is very important and must be done with consideration for what you want to achieve in the future tree. An air layer with a main trunk of 6 to 12 inches below a bifurcation or trifurcation should have a trunk ½" to 1" in diameter.



Preparation
Remove bark & cambium layer to expose xylem
Rooting hormone (optional)
Sphagnum moss or other growing mix
Aluminum foil or plastic sheet
Container to create optimal root mass
Springtime best time of year
To prepare the air layer you first must remove the bark around a complete circular section of the branch and fully expose the xylem layer. The section removed can be about 1" wide. The bark must not only be stripped off, but the vascular layer of plant tissue just below the bark known as the cambium, must also be removed. This can easily be accomplished by scraping the exposed area just below the bark with a knife or pliars with serrated jaws.

Rooting hormone (Rootone - Indole-acetic acid) may be used, although this is not necessary. The rooting hormone may be applied directly to the exposed cambium or diluted in aqueous solution and mixed with the rooting material. Cambium, which is the vascular layer that conveys nutrients from the leaves to the plant root system, will differentiate into roots. Remember that with hormones, more is not always better. Excess hormone will actually have a suppressing affect so follow the directions suggested on the hormone preparation you decide to use.

The exposed strip must be encased in a growing medium. Generally, sphagnum moss is the preferred rooting medium. We like to use a 50-50 mix Pro-Mix with sphagnum moss; however, just about any loose, well drained growing medium will work. The growing medium should be pre-mixed and moistened with water. A section of heavy duty aluminum foil or plastic sheet approximately 12" x 12" should have a large handful of growing medium placed in a swath at the center of the foil segment, almost like a band-aid. The foil/growing medium combination should be wrapped around the exposed xylem and twisted at the top and bottom end to form a seal around the branch. If you are producing a large air layer then duct tape should be applied at both ends to prevent ants from entering into and nesting in the air layer. If carpenter ants make a nest in your air layer they will eat all of the growing medium away from the forming roots.

If your objective is to create a larger tree you can split a plastic growing container down the middle to the circular hole in the center and wrap this around the tree branch, filling it with growing medium and sealing it with foil and duct tape. Taking the extra time and effort to do it this away assures a larger root mass and a more vigorously growing tree whose chances of survival, post removal, are greater.

Removal
8-12 weeks
Squeeze or tap air layer / remove when tight like a drum
Saw off at about ½ to 1 inch below root mass
Strip or prune at least 50% (or more depending on the size of the root mass) of the leaves
Soak in water for a few hours & wet down the remaining foliage
Now ready to plant in the ground, plant in a container or ship to lychee growers & enthusiasts.

If the air layers are applied in early Spring it will take approximately 8 - 12 weeks to produce a sufficient root mass. The rate of root growth is a function of temperature and humidity so that the overall process is shortened as the weather warms up. You know that the air layer is ready to remove when the mass contained within the foil or plastic is full of roots. You can see the roots when clear plastic is used. In the case of foil, readiness is indicated when the foil becomes tight like a drum.

The air layer should be either clipped or sawed 1 to 2 inches below the root mass. After removing the foil or plastic approximately 50% or more of the foliage should be either stripped or pruned away from the air layer. This is a good time to shape the soon to become a new tree. The root mass of the air layer should be soaked for a while (until fully saturated) in water and the remaining foliage wetted.

At this juncture you can either plant the air layer directly into the ground, a container or you can ship it to lychee growers and enthusiasts.

This article was last updated on: June 5, 2003
Reprint Rights

[pyrangello]

Every good will towards humanity and the earth has to start somewhere and I think it's a great idea. If by planting fruit trees we recieve more oxygen from the trees leaves, teaching to the little ones the importance of food production by studies and questions sparked by students, and a snack or a meal (natural ) by nothing but good intentions, there is nothing but a win win scenerio from this outcome. What about the National Arbor Day Foundation. I planted 2 dozen trees this past year. Fruit trees.

[KathyT]

Happyhollergal… I am not sure you gave a fair comparision. Feeding the homeless everyday at your business is not the same as planting beautiful and productive trees on public property.

I too am a gardener, with knowledge of County Ag/extension offices. Some kinds of fruit bearing trees might be helpful, whereas others, depending on the location, might be seen as a mess to clean up when they drop their fruits on the ground. So an appropriate location is probably the key. Many of us have fruit orchards in our back yards, but I can tell you I wouldn’t plant the same trees right out on the front sidewalk where it might make a mess for the people walking on the sidewalk.

There are organizations to be a part of which could kick off tree planting projects. This forum could be a list of those organizations.
National Garden Clubs is one. Each State will have their own State level garden club, with many local clubs.

[happyhollergal]

Kathy, my reference was not "the business", it was that people interfere with good things that are done from the heart, and prevent those who do such good deeds from spreading hope and life to humanity. I apologize if you took it the wrong way. I do know that a lot of cities and counties would not welcome the hungry coming onto school property to cure their hunger. Most homeless are seen as less than in our so-called modern society, often they are referred to as rif-raf. I did say that I thought it was a good idea. It's just that I have first hand knowledge from attending many county commission meetings where a kind gesture toward the less fortunate turned into a terrible debate, and references were made that clearly said they didn't want to draw "those" people to school properties. Of course, you had those that even took it further and wondered aloud if that would invite child molesters to their area (as if they're not everywhere anyway). I find it hard to accept that to label homeless and/or hungry people as "those", when if tragedy happened, we could become "those".

[Samarkis]

Actually,I am very happy to hear the down sides to this project as we can then make necessary adjustments to its success!!!

No one wants to put fruit trees that would be a walking hazard....there is so much land in most states around the school buildings & why are we having ornamentals when it could be so much more????


Actually, I do not propose free for all for these trees...I do expect to net & lock them or have them behind fences...Local charities or those families in the school that get (farm bill) free lunches would get a bowl of fruit every week or two how it divies out.....Would be divided up....

For VA or Salvation Armies, they would be guarded like anything else they do....

The MAIN POINT is that pennies on the dollar,we can help 0ur families & people in need in an economic & environmentally free way!! School children & local charities can join in to help the Gardeners tend( or train someone on site) to take care...

In my very humble opinion...THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR HUNGER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pls E-mail me or leave here or PM on avalon yr e-mails & first names if you r interested in this project!!!

This week a friend is donating three starter shoots for a fast producing banana tree for the vets...So I will be arranging how to set that up over the next 2 months until they are ready to go into the ground....

Muscadine grape vines is another hardy easy growing plant that is EXTREMELY high in anti-oxidants & grows in most zones!!!

I figure a nut tree and they r set with fresh fruit & easy protein...(whomever is allergic will not eat the nuts...or the family can trade the nuts for neighbor's eggs,etc...)

[Samarkis]

Originally Posted by pyrangello

Every good will towards humanity and the earth has to start somewhere and I think it's a great idea. If by planting fruit trees we recieve more oxygen from the trees leaves, teaching to the little ones the importance of food production by studies and questions sparked by students, and a snack or a meal (natural ) by nothing but good intentions, there is nothing but a win win scenerio from this outcome. What about the National Arbor Day Foundation. I planted 2 dozen trees this past year. Fruit trees.

Out of curiosity...where did you plant??At yr home is great too....just wondering.

Also, most seedling fruits are many years til the fruit...air layering from a producing tree "fools" the new cutting that it is still on the mother tree...so within one -two years,the new tree is producing like the mother tree...

[happyhollergal]

We have plenty of muscadine and scupedine grape vines, and are more than willing to ship some to you if you'd like.

[waitinginthewings]

Happy: see what you just said......thats the world I want to be part of. Thank you for your generous heart.

We are all brothers & sisters of the universe, therefore we must always watch out for and help one another.

The moment we shun another brother/sister who is hungry & in need, is the moment we shun ourselves.

We should never forget, that maybe we too at some moment in time could be hungry or homeless.

Compassion & love is the answer.

[Humble Janitor]

I could live off of apples if needed.

Just would have to find a supply and a cool place to keep them safe from mold, etc.

[Carol]

This is want we are working on... an edible landscape where most of the trees and plants produce food. I would love to see edible landscapes for parks and recreational areas as well. I would like to add that some concerns of those with producing trees is the problem of fruit flies from the fallen fruit and that this can be an underlying reason why it is done in parks. However, if communities turn their parks into public gardens I suspect this is less likely to happen. Notices should be posted for harvest days as well and include family potlucks.

If I were designing a community the public park would be at the heart of it where everyone can gather for outdoor community events.

[KathyT]

Originally Posted by Samarkis

Would you contact me or yr local Ag. extension about this??!!??

We can plant fruit tree/nut trees in all city/state parks & public schools & libraries to help alleviate food shortages for poor families!!!

The extension offices in every county are sytems that are already in place & can ensure the viability of the trees!!

!

Samarkis, since you started this thread, I've had the opportunity to hear about organizations in my community that are actively promoting community garden projects. I think many medium to large communities are doing this. Just check around, and you'll probably find one. Community gardens are great things to have and get involved with.