At a time when ecological awareness is accelerating, the need for nature and authentic natural experiences is growing. While it was once normal to harvest food directly from nature, that connection has largely been lost over time. Today, especially in our highly urbanized society, we are eager to rediscover it. This is reflected in the trend of planting more vegetation with edible fruits—not only in private gardens but also in public spaces. In this article, we share some practical considerations and our favorite choices.
Replacing Paving with Fruit Trees
Even without campaigns like “National Tile Removal” initiatives, more and more people are making their gardens greener. In that context, fruit trees have gained enormous popularity. They offer many benefits, such as an abundance of blossom in spring and delicious juicy fruit later in the year. And even the smallest garden usually has room for one.
Still, there are some points of attention for successful fruit tree cultivation. Factors such as sensitivity to wind and positioning in relation to the sun are more critical for an orchard than for a purely ornamental garden. Some fruits also need a long autumn to ripen properly. For example, the fruit of the medlar (Mespilus germanica) only develops full flavor after the leaves have dropped, allowing more light to reach the plant. Soil type and available space are also important criteria: multi-stemmed trees need more room, while dwarf trees remain smaller. Where space is limited, espalier forms or climbing fruit plants may provide a solution. And last but not least: don’t forget pollination. Without pollination, most fruit trees will not bear fruit.
Challenges in Public Spaces
Public fruit trees are becoming increasingly common. A growing number of municipalities are planting them in parks, green belts, new neighborhoods, and specific areas such as sports grounds and schoolyards, often at the initiative of or in collaboration with residents. Where once there was hesitation about mixing fruit trees with public use, the positive effects are now widely recognized.
The benefits for community engagement are significant. Harvesting fruit together fosters neighborhood connections, while simply seeing spring blossoms has a strong positive impact on people’s experience of their environment. Residents are often directly involved in planting and maintenance, creating a sense of shared responsibility. Even the fear of insects has been replaced by appreciation for their positive role in ecosystems.
Still, clear agreements on maintenance are essential. Management is not only about pruning and care, but also about harvesting the fruit to prevent problems with fallen or rotting produce. Careful selection of species, combined with clear information about harvest times and uses, can prevent many issues. While maintenance can be relatively labor-intensive for municipalities, the benefits far outweigh the effort when the right tree is planted in the right place. The result is a better living environment for both people and wildlife.
Our Favorites
Chinese Pepper Tree (Zanthoxylum simulans), at first glance, the Chinese pepper tree does not appear to bear remarkable or useful fruit, but it is well worth planting. The valuable parts are the seed husks formed in mid-October. Once dried, these produce the famous Sichuan peppercorns, known for their sharp, tingling, and numbing flavor. Although not true peppercorns, they are a vital ingredient in Chinese and Korean cuisine, particularly in dishes like Mapo tofu. The crushed leaves release a fresh lemon scent, while both fruit and husks have a distinctive, peppery fragrance. The small, deciduous tree is hardy, disease-resistant, and adaptable. In summer its inconspicuous flowers provide nectar for bees, in autumn it shows yellow foliage, and in winter its thorny, irregular silhouette adds ornamental value.
Lotus Tree (Diospyros lotus), also known as date plum or Caucasian persimmon, Diospyros lotus originates from China and has been cultivated for centuries across West Asia and the Mediterranean. In its native habitat, it can reach 20 meters, but in cultivation it usually grows 8–12 meters tall. With its half-open, oval, irregular crown, it becomes broader with age. The leaves are glossy dark green with lighter, hairy undersides, turning golden yellow in autumn. Female trees bloom with small whitish-pink flowers in June, followed by plum-like fruits that ripen from yellow to purple or blue-black in October–November. About 2–3 cm in size, the fruits resemble miniature tomatoes and taste sweet to slightly astringent. They can be eaten fresh, dried, or preserved. Diospyros lotus is ideal for food forests, gardens, parks, and green belts, though heavy fruit drop makes it less suitable for streets.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), the ginkgo, or maidenhair tree, is one of the world’s oldest living species, unchanged for over 270 million years. Native to China, it is easily recognized by its fan-shaped leaves. Fresh green in spring and summer, the leaves turn a brilliant buttery yellow in autumn before dropping within just a week or two, creating a carpet of gold.
The nuts are considered a delicacy in East Asia. They are rich in nutrients but mildly toxic when raw, so they must be cooked or roasted properly. In China, they are often used as flavor enhancers in simple dishes, while in Japan they are roasted and enjoyed as a seasonal treat. The nuts are surrounded by a sticky, yellowish fruit pulp resembling a cherry in size. After frost, the pulp is easier to remove. Once cleaned, dried, and roasted, the light green nut inside is both beautiful and flavorful.
Medlar (Mespilus germanica), the medlar is a unique fruit tree with a distinctive fruit. It is often grown as a standard or multi-stemmed shrub with a flattened crown and can spread up to six meters wide, requiring a sunny site. The fruits are unusual in shape and not immediately appealing or edible. Still, the tree is valued for its distinctive taste and ornamental qualities.
Medlars produce small, flattened fruits that resemble pears more than apples in skin color. They are harvested in late autumn or early winter, long after most other fruits have been picked, which is why they are counted among the latest harvested plants. The brown fruits that appear in autumn remain on the tree for a long time and only become edible after they have been softened by frost. At that point, they ripen further, darken, and develop their unique flavor. They are harvested when overripe, which explains the saying “rotten as a medlar.” The fruits taste somewhat astringent when first picked. With their distinctive fruit and decorative value, Mespilus germanica can be a valuable addition to a food forest. Different cultivars exist, each with their own tree form and fruit size.
