The Fruit Tree Planting Project is being greeted enthusiastically by Manchester-area residents in its community-building effort to grow food locally. In just six weeks, Transition Town Manchester (TTM) has achieved the project’s first goal—to sell 350 trees in support of 350.org, Bill McKibben’s global grassroots initiative to reduce atmospheric carbon emission limits.
Through a partnership with Mettowee Mill Nursery, TTM made peach, pear, cherry, apple and plum trees available to locals for $25 each. In the spring, teams of trained volunteers will deliver and plant the bare-root, zone-hardy trees, and this made the deal a sweet one indeed. “That’s what did it for me!” said a man who said his digging days were behind him.
At the Northshire Bookstore, which generously allowed TTM to launch the project with a sign-up week at a table in their foyer last month, Harvey Alpart expressed disappointment that his home in South Londonderry was out of planting range. Although logistics restricted sales and plantings to Manchester and adjacent towns, the enthusiasm for planting could not be contained. “This has inspired me to think about doing this in our community. I’d love to plant some fruit trees with my grandchildren so we can learn about agriculture and watch them grow.”
Thoughts of apple pies and plum jam and canned peaches notwithstanding, people bought trees for all kinds of reasons. Someone claiming to prefer her reputation as the town curmudgeon bought four trees for the Rupert Food Pantry anonymously, and has taken it upon herself to secure permission to plant from the town.
“We’re primarily getting the cherry for the birds,” said Christine Beach of S. Dorset, placing an order at Dorset Farmers Market. “Oh my god, my bees will be so happy!” exclaimed Maddie Sobel of E. Dorset, as she signed up for a cherry, a peach and two pear trees. Others who placed orders included a family who home-schools and plans to use the trees to teach area children about horticulture and tree-tending. Dorset School children are helping to raise funds for their 12 apple trees by collecting coins in jars in their “Trees for Change” project. Condo associations, gifts for friends and family members, and replacements for old trees accounted for other acquisitions.
The 350th tree was spoken for by Nancy McNally, who purchased it on behalf of Riley Rink in fond remembrance of board member Jay Hathaway.
The next event will be a ceremonial planting of two fruit trees on October 24th (details to come).
