I’m feral fruit tree mapping
April 22nd, 2009 by trinatune
For Earth Day (today) I’ve created a feral fruit tree map. Unfortunately, my area is a little light on feral fruit but I will add to it when I find more during my walks around the neighbourhood. So far I’ve spotted a mulberry tree, errant passionfruit vines, quite a lot of lilly pilly trees and some warrigal greens (native spinach) – although not a fruit, these greens are very edible.
In case you’re not sure, feral fruit is basically any fruit you can glean from a public space like a park, by the road side or overhanging a fence. It’s not only free, but grown locally and chances are its organic.
The concept of feral fruit tree mapping was first introduced to me by the folks over at Milkwood but I think it’s really been something people have been doing in their heads for ages. As a kid, my friends and I always knew where the feral mulberry trees and blackberry bushes were in our neighbourhood.
Years ago my brother and his partner were known as the “hunters and gatherers” by their friends and neighbours because they were often seen out picking berries and fruit from trees and hedges growing randomly in their neighbourhood. They also always knew where the good feral fig trees were near my mother’s place in Canberra. There is nothing better than eating a freshly picked fig …yum.
But how do you remember where all those fruit trees are - particularly if you notice a feral tree full of fruit one season but forget where it is the next season? Creating a map is the best way – either traditionally with a map, pen and paper or, my preference, with Google maps.
Google maps allow you to share your map with many other people. This is the beginning of my map, but Kirsten (from Milkwood) has created an excellent feral fruit tree map in the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy. A Google map is fairly easy to create – see directions here. I haven’t seen a lot on feral fruit tree mapping in Australia but there is a group in the US called Fallen Fruit who are collecting feral fruit tree maps, they also have some good tips on creating a map.
Wouldn’t it be great to hook up Australian suburbs through feral fruit tree maps? I love the idea of fruit and fresh food as a free-for-all. Does anyone else have a feral fruit tree map they would like to share?
Or have you heard of any free-for-all areas? I’ve heard that residents in the inner Sydney suburbs Chippendale and Marrickville have set up free food gardens by the street kerbs, but I haven’t seen them – see the Sydney Morning Herald article - Green solution just outside your door for more information.
People in the UK also seem to be onto it. Read these stories about cultivating and growing free food: Todmorden’s bid for self sufficiency and Free fruit for all in Sheffield.
Happy mapping, and please…let me know how you go.
hi, glad to find your blog. i also am a lover of public fruit. thanks for sharing your food.
I love the idea of a feral fruit tree map. I recently posted in my blog about using Warrigal Greens in a Frittata. I have been searching for feral food for months and have only found the Warrigal Greens so far. I wouldn’t survive long in the wild
A map would be great!
I’ve also been looking into feral fruit in my area lately.
I’ve picked lillypillies near my place of work and cooked them, and I also found and cooked some feral peaches.
Here’s the beginnings of my feral fruit map for Kiama, NSW.
Great to see there are others out there who enjoy this stuff too!
Thanks Darren, looks like there are some nice trees in your area.
This is what I have been trying to do in WA. After seeing a River Cottage episode about the Sheffield project, Adundance, I thought we should be doing that in Australia. Unfortunately I live in a new suburb with no long term trees but I am sure with some investigating it could be done.Congratulations on a great Blog,I look forward to updates.
What a great idea. There are some families growing vegies on the naturestrip in Middle Park, Melbourne, but the council isn’t too happy about it. They grow some great big pumpkins. I’m not sure if they are technically free for all but I am sure that the birds aren’t the only people helping themselves.
I’ll keep a look out in our parts for feral food but we might be too inner city.
such a great idea, i’ve always been inspired by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and River Cottage and wished it was more local & Australian.
Not sure what i can add to it in the Darlington/Golden Grove area but i will look at things with fresh eyes now
How refreshing! You’ve really stirred up some fantastic memories for me. I’m in Sydney now but I spent my childhood on a little island in the middle of nowhere. That’s exactly what we used to do as kids: find where the good fruit trees were and only share them with those in your inner circle (lol). Anyhow, good post. Thank you.
Interesting concept. Maybe it’s something that could be done in the Forest Preserves around Chicago…
great idea- there is nothing worse than nature’s bounty going to waste- i have sussed out a local citrus tree which is not on anyone’s property and keep checking it for fruit. We used to love mulberry picking on feral trees that grew along kedron brook when we were walking the dogs.
Thanks so much! I’ve been looking for a map like this for ages. I’ve felt so inspired by the River Cottage programmes that Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall makes, but haven’t found any feral food in Stanmore (where I’ve just moved) or any like-minded people either. If I find anything on my wandering I’ll let you know!
Be careful some feral fruit plants you are picking like blackberry haven’t been sprayed with herbicide. Look for signs of marker dye (blue or red) and yellow leaves. You don’t really want to be eating this stuff.
Hey there… i have been feral fruit mapping in my head for years… although i must admit, some aren’t so ferral… more on the edge of peoples gardens, mostly with mullberry trees. I know all of my local trees within about 5 suburbs of manly and when they fruit too. Mostly the owners of these trees know me too and are quite happy to share. Now I’m after fig trees. I will set my own map up. Very excited of this concept and i hope it catches on. Lets talk it up.
you’re famous! Hamish and Andy used your map for their Feeeating challenge
What a brilliant, brilliant idea. I was very sad when the Gore Hill Freeway went in as they chopped down the biggest, most amazing Mulberry tree you could ever imagine. I spent many happy years playing in and around the canopy of this majestic specimen.
On that note - I’m looking for information about feral fruit I ate as a kid all around Sydney. About as big as a thumb, yellow skin and flesh and a single seed. My husband says they’re called “locuts” but I can’t find information on them anywhere so must have the spelling wrong. Help!
Do you mean “loquats” Nat? Very tasty fruit! I’ve noticed a huge clump of loquat trees from the train as it pulls into Wollstonecraft Station (heading to the city). Not sure if they’re on private land, but I want to investigate them soon as they’re packed with fruit at the moment :0)
hey
great stuff, i’m doing the same thing down here in vic. Good on you!
http://www.youtube.com/theproducegarden
Hello there,
This is a fantastic idea. I know of a few wild food trees here in Brisbane, so if anyone is starting up a map for this neck of the woods I’d be happy to contribute what I know. I made some lilli-pilli jelly just this weekend. Delicious on toast, or as a good Aussie replacement for cranberry sauce at Xmas time.
If anyone have Brisbane locations of wild fruit trees please add to this:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=
109454405528422793223.0004798ac1435812ae271
Hiya, I came across this wonderful use of technology, which I thought I’d share in case you haven’t found it yet. Keep up the great living! : )
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=108526843328230627584.000464e02933fc8e73756&z=8