Fruit trees in public space – vitamins on hand

The municipality of Forest is committed to reintroducing fruit trees and berries into public spaces. Beyond their landscape value, these plantings offer multiple benefits: biodiversity, climate adaptation, healthy food, and the creation of new collective uses.

Experimental and participatory projects
In 2023–2024, Forest, as part of the ARBRE project, planted an exploratory orchard in Bempt Park. This orchard tests the resilience of 53 fruit species that are rare in Belgium (pomegranate, pecan, pawpaw, persimmon, nashi pear, etc.) in the face of climate change.
At the same time, more than 1.000 meters of fruit hedges have been planted in public areas. Some are maintained by municipal teams, while others are cared for by citizen groups or associations.
Since 2020, Forest has also maintained a espalier orchard of 40 fruit trees (apples and pears) planted around a community garden. This orchard is cultivated according to the traditional art of espalier training, through participatory workshops open to residents.
An innovative partnership is emerging with the local association No javel, which fights against food waste. The group is developing an urban gleaning project to organize the harvesting and redistribution of fruit.

Multiple and Inclusive Uses
These plantings are part of a broader strategy:

• Experimenting with climate adaptation by testing new fruit species,

• Encouraging citizen participation through the collective management of hedges,

• Strengthening food resilience by making local, free fruit accessible,

• Creating social ties around harvesting and sharing.

At the European level, Forest aims to share its experience with reintroducing fruit trees into urban environments. The municipality is particularly interested in exchanges on management practices, varietal resilience, and training in espalier techniques.