The “Tree Streets Food Forest” visioning day and tree planting, lead by “Build It Up East Tennessee” representative Tyler Malone, was held on Saturday 1 March 14 at the corner of Buffalo and Maple Streets.

The visioning session featured “sheet mulching” which is a process that occurs next to each tree and will build topsoil at a quick rate.

Another topic, guild building, was discussed: an “apple guild” is a group of plants, when in proximity, work symbiotically and thrive.

Walnut-tolerate plants – indigenous and therefore able to leverage the toxins thrown off by the walnuts – are listed in the pictures below; these plants may be donated or exchanged with other members in order to build our space.

Two apples and a paw paw were planted; a pruning and grafting demonstration closed the event.

First United Methodist Church of Johnson City is proud to donate the land for this project, the first edible park in Johnson City, which will complement our monthly food pantry distribution which serves the Tree Streets and beyond.