Tenement fruit trees to grow friendships

FRUIT trees are to be planted in run-down back yards to help transform the image of the city's tenements.

More than 250 trees and bushes will be introduced to areas of Gorgie and Dalry by volunteer residents. As well as regenerating derelict back greens, the organic trees will provide fruit for the local community.

The initiative is part of a scheme designed to improve the community spirit in blocks of flats where neighbours rarely know each other.

In areas such as Gorgie and Leith, several blocks of flats often share one large back green, which is frequently disused and full of rubbish.

Now, based on the success of a scheme in Danish capital Copenhagen, the Edinburgh Green Caretakers idea has helped revitalise two yards in Wheatfield Road and Dalry Road.

Having spent around one year transforming the greens into gardens, a variety of apple, plum and cherry trees will be planted, along with gooseberry, redcurrant, blackcurrant, raspberry and blueberry bushes.

The project's community liaison officer, Sam Ansell, said: "I have been impressed by the dedication and commitment that our volunteers and residents have given to the project, and I am excited that they will soon be seeing and sharing the fruits of their labour.

"While developing back greens, we also want to make sure the land is used as productively as possible.

"With fruit trees and bushes, this creates something that residents can share and use.

"Once the trees bear fruit, we will set up a local co-operative and harvest the fruit to share among the local community for free."

The two pilot Community Backgreen Associations in Dalry and Gorgie have teams of up to 70 residents.

Five more sites in the area have been earmarked for future projects, starting next year, with plans to eventually include the whole city.

Individual proposals are drawn up for each back green by the residents, with popular features including bike sheds, seating or barbecue areas, tool sheds and paths.

Each site also has a modern composter, enabling residents to put their household waste to good use.

The initiative has been funded through grants from the city council and the National Lottery, as well as donations.

The 83 trees and 180 bushes are set to be planted this weekend by volunteers, with a demonstration by organic expert John Butterworth.

He has an apple nursery in west Scotland, and devotes his time to promoting the planting and preservation of fruit trees in Scotland.

Mr Butterworth said: "This is a fantastic idea.

"The group wants to produce local food on land that hasn't been productive for many years.

"In the old days, people would have grown vegetables in these back greens, but that hasn't happened for the last 50 years, or so."

The Edinburgh Green Caretakers initiative has been supported by Edinburgh Central MSP, Sarah Boyack.

She said today: "The community has really embraced this scheme.

"I've seen a huge difference in what were once unpleasant run-down back yards.

"Planting fruit trees is a very welcome step forward."

Residents say that the scheme has improved the social life of tenement dwellers, who previously did not know their neighbours.

The fruit trees are also thought likely to increase the value of their properties.