ReLeaf Workshop: Fruit Trees

The 2013 Spring ReLeaf Conference has a two-fold focus, managing the impacts of Hurricane Sandy on the Trees and Soils of our Urban Forests, and Fruit Tree Care. The impact of Hurricane Sandy on our Urban Forests’ Trees and soils was significant, and this conference guides citizens and professionals alike through the process of mitigating such storm effects.   

Fruit is an essential part of a healthy diet, but for residents of some urban areas, fresh produce can be difficult to access and can be prohibitively expensive. Locally grown produce helps the environment in more ways than one such as cooling heat islands, improving air quality, reducing storm water runoff, and improving social connections. These trees are easy to care for and can produce abundant food for many years. Fruit trees can be planted in back yards as well as in public orchards on school campuses and community gardens. The many benefits of growing fruit trees also include their yield of fresh, locally grown food. Fruit trees grow well in urban and suburban settings. From a social aspect, fruit trees help people become connected to the growing process while also providing a nutritious food source and food security.

Register for the workshop by filling out the ReLeaf sign up form  http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/releafsignup.pdf

About New York ReLeaf

New York ReLeaf is a statewide effort that brings people together to share information about trees and ways to improve the future of trees where we live. ReLeaf creates partnerships between forestry professionals and dedicated citizens. It harnesses the financial resources of government and the private sector; provides an opportunity for talented volunteers to use their special skills to enhance the effort; and creates positive and permanent changes.

ReLeaf is a project of the Urban Forestry Program within the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Division of Lands and Forests.

For more information about ReLeaf in general, please contact the New York ReLeaf Coordinator in Albany at (518) 402-9425 or lflands@gw.dec.state.ny.us.