interesting to note wrote:
soil contaminants shouldnt be an issue with trees. that is verified by my program existing because the government doesnt mess around with risk. we have very strict protocols requiring testing, remediation plans, and/ or circumvention (like raised beds) for anyone trying to garden.
im mostly tasked with planting "natives", so paw paw, american persimmon, serviceberry, hazelnuts, etc which largely don't need sprayed. higher maintenance species like apples, peaches and soforth get care until fruiting and then we let them go. generally they do fine, we dont need to make grocery store quality. usually non profit groups do big harvests and process them into products to donate to food banks.
i also plant a lot of elderberry by request. thats the exception because people need to know about the trace amounts of cyanide that needs cooked out before eating. i tell them, but no one listens.
im on the east coast.
Thx for sharing a unique perspective.
When I started this thread, i had no idea the breadth and depth of information and experience that would get disclosed, and yours is among those for sure.
My neighbor is a Master Gardener and garden designer by trade and yesterday she informed me that our city has a similar program in which non-profits maintain and care for and harvest city fruit trees and distribute the bounty to food banks and charities. I looked up their website and they list several public parks that are planted with fruit trees and berries, and their are maps online that depict where these trees and bushes are in their resective parks, schools, and public grounds.
So your city is not alone in that regard.
And I am on the west coast, btw.