Open Orchard

TREES OF LIFE

Chicago, IL, USA, Cook County

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today"- Chinese proverb

The Open Orchard Project connects communities through fruits and the planting of fruit trees in public places. These trees provide free fruit to local residents and greenery to our urban environments. Open Orchard started in London, England but the idea is just as relevant elsewhere so we love to see Open Orchard groups start up and plant fruit trees on public land across many more cities.

The environmental effects of planting trees takes time. A newly planted tree will offer some extra pollination opportunities and absorb a small amount of carbon dioxide and additional rainwater that might have gone into drains, however year on year, these positive effects increase as the tree grows.

Since the fruit trees are planted on public land it is necessary to have buy-in from the local council, but for the project to really be sustainable, engaged communities need to act as the custodians of the trees. The project can give neighbours the opportunity to meet properly for the first time, while working towards a common goal with a sense of purpose. In many areas, especially urban ones, this can be very important. Even if neighburs move away from the area the trees will live for 20-30 years - and remain a shared connection and legacy.

The fruit harvested from the trees can provide the community with a new source of fresh food. It can be eaten raw or used to produce other products (which in years to come could be an opportunity for a social business).

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today"- Chinese proverb

The Open Orchard Project connects communities through fruits and the planting of fruit trees in public places. These trees provide free fruit to local residents and greenery to our urban environments. Open Orchard started in London, England but the idea is just as relevant elsewhere so we love to see Open Orchard groups start up and plant fruit trees on public land across many more cities.

The environmental effects of planting trees takes time. A newly planted tree will offer some extra pollination opportunities and absorb a small amount of carbon dioxide and additional rainwater that might have gone into drains, however year on year, these positive effects increase as the tree grows.

Since the fruit trees are planted on public land it is necessary to have buy-in from the local council, but for the project to really be sustainable, engaged communities need to act as the custodians of the trees. The project can give neighbours the opportunity to meet properly for the first time, while working towards a common goal with a sense of purpose. In many areas, especially urban ones, this can be very important. Even if neighburs move away from the area the trees will live for 20-30 years - and remain a shared connection and legacy.

The fruit harvested from the trees can provide the community with a new source of fresh food. It can be eaten raw or used to produce other products (which in years to come could be an opportunity for a social business).

Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
about 2 years ago

Our Community Joy Gardening Season is here🌱

THANKS #Microsoft #ChangeX for partnering with us to create indelible memories, Southside Chicago. We're getting orchard ready.

Pearl
Garden Mentor and Director
The Neighborship Network
Come-Unity Joy Garden
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Fortifying Black Leaders That Strengthen Black Communities

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
about 2 years ago

Our Community Joy Gardening Season is here🌱

THANKS #Microsoft #ChangeX for partnering with us to create indelible memories, Southside Chicago.

Pearl
Garden Mentor and Director
The Neighborship Network
Come-Unity Joy Garden
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Fortifying Black Leaders That Strengthen Black Communities

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
about 2 years ago

Our Community Joy Gardening Season is here🌱

THANKS to #Microsoft #ChangeX we are training Youth To Teach Gardening and empowering our Community to eat fresh fruit and learn its nutrition benefits.

Thanks for partnering with us to create indelible memories.

Pearl
Garden Mentor and Director
The Neighborship Network
Come-Unity Joy Garden
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Fortifying Black Leaders That Strengthen Black Communities

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
about 2 years ago

Our Community Joy Gardening Season is here🌱

THANKS, #Microsoft #ChangeX we are training Youth To Teach Gardening and empowering our Community to eat fresh fruit and learn its nutrition benefits.

Pearl
Garden Mentor and Director
The Neighborship Network
Come-Unity Joy Garden
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Fortifying Black Leaders That Strengthen Black Communities

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
about 2 years ago

Our Community Joy Gardening Season is here🌱

THANKS, #Microsoft #ChangeX we are training Youth To Teach Gardening and empowering our Community to eat fresh fruit and learn its nutrition benefits.

Pearl
Garden Mentor and Director
The Neighborship Network
Come-Unity Joy Garden
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Fortifying Black Leaders That Strengthen Black Communities

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
about 2 years ago

Our Community Joy Gardening Season is here🌱

THANKS, #Microsoft #ChangeX we are training Youth To Teach Gardening and empowering our Community to eat fresh fruit and learn its nutrition benefits.

Pearl
Garden Mentor and Director
The Neighborship Network
Come-Unity Joy Garden
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Fortifying Black Leaders That Strengthen Black Communities

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
over 2 years ago

Our Community Joy Gardening Season is here🌱

The #Peaches are coming! The Peaches are coming!🍑

Hitting the ground running. Every time we are in the garden it's teaching time. We are training Youth to Teach Garden.

I'm utterly grateful for my Mentee and New Assistant Garden Director in Training #NobleTheGreat @bevoqalwidth for this taking the charge, leading with compassion and vision and creating this newsletter.

You are truly an answer to my earnest prayers.

THANK YOU...

Pearl
Garden Mentor and Director
The Neighborship Network
Come-Unity Joy Garden
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Fortifying Black Leaders That Strengthen Black Communities

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
about 2 years ago

Our Come-Unity Joy Garden Fruit Tree Orchard🌳

Service Berries! Come and Get ittttt😋

Serviceberries are an excellent source of manganese, magnesium, and iron, and a relatively good source of calcium, potassium, copper, and carotenoids (e.g. lutein).

#BlackToTheGarden

Thanks Microsoft and ChangeX😃

Pearl
Garden Mentor and Director
The Neighborship Network
Come-Unity Joy Garden
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Fortifying Black Leaders That Strengthen Black Communities
Zelle: 312-285-8782
CashApp: $BlackBumblebee

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
about 2 years ago

Our Come-Unity Joy Garden Fruit Tree Orchard🌳

Service Berries! Come and Get ittttt😋

Serviceberries are an excellent source of manganese, magnesium, and iron, and a relatively good source of calcium, potassium, copper, and carotenoids (e.g. lutein).

#BlackToTheGarden

Thanks Microsoft and ChangeX😃

Pearl
Garden Mentor and Director
The Neighborship Network
Come-Unity Joy Garden
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Fortifying Black Leaders That Strengthen Black Communities
Zelle: 312-285-8782
CashApp: $BlackBumblebee

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
about 2 years ago

Our Come-Unity Joy Garden Fruit Tree Orchard🌳

Service Berries! Come and Get ittttt😋

Serviceberries are an excellent source of manganese, magnesium, and iron, and a relatively good source of calcium, potassium, copper, and carotenoids (e.g. lutein).

#BlackToTheGarden

Thanks Microsoft and ChangeX😃

Pearl
Garden Mentor and Director
The Neighborship Network
Come-Unity Joy Garden
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Fortifying Black Leaders That Strengthen Black Communities
Zelle: 312-285-8782
CashApp: $BlackBumblebee

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
about 2 years ago

Our Come-Unity Joy Garden Fruit Tree Orchard🌳

Service Berries! Come and Get ittttt😋

Serviceberries are an excellent source of manganese, magnesium, and iron, and a relatively good source of calcium, potassium, copper, and carotenoids (e.g. lutein).

#BlackToTheGarden

Thanks Microsoft and ChangeX😃

Pearl
Garden Mentor and Director
The Neighborship Network
Come-Unity Joy Garden
https://www.facebook.com/comeunitynetwork/
Fortifying Black Leaders That Strengthen Black Communities
Zelle: 312-285-8782
CashApp: $BlackBumblebee

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
over 2 years ago

Stopped by a dresser friend's place to learn how he grows lemon year round by bringing them inside during the Winter. You all Ready? Set. Growwww!

Thanks ChangeX😊

Trees of Life

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
over 2 years ago

Come-Unity Joy Garden moments🌞🌱🍅
#OurStory with #ChangeX

#BlackToTheGarden2022
#GrowingIndoors #YearOfTakingOurHealthBlack

Our plants are beginning to Spring. Get it?

SPRING???

We got #cherryseeds #lemonseeds #basil #parsley #dill #oregano #browntomato #heirloomtomato #lavender #zinnia #garlic #blueberry #flowers and more more more.

Grow Your Own Food🥬
http://pearlramsey.towergarden.com/

Want to support gardening and the war on healthy food accessibility in Black communities:
Become a VoLOVEteer😃 or
https://www.paypal.me/BlackPearlzWorld or Zelle or CashApp: $BlackBumblebee

Healing forward 🌱

Pearl BlackPearl
The Fasting Coach🌞
Matthew 17:21 - However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
CashApp: $BlackBumblebee for joyous giving

🦋🌺🐝#TheSouthsideBetterflies🐝🌺🦋
We out here...😎
Our pictorial journey/story
#OurStory✍🏿🌱📖🌬

🌍💎THE NEIGHBORSHIP NETWORK💎🌏
👇🏾Don't forget to LIKE our page
The Neighborship Net Work is creating systems built for the human spirit to thrive.
https://www.facebook.com/Neighborship-Network-2079796525675908/

#ComeUnityGardens #Chicago #8thWard #Southside #Blackside #HealThySelf #Gardening #CommunityGardens #ForTheChildren #BlackSuns #BlackDawnters

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
over 2 years ago

Trees of life desires to integrate health, healing, fresh organic free fruit and beauty with the restorative justice of planting trees. We plan to plant cherry, apple, fig, lemon and peach trees both indoor and outdoors to cultivate a culture of fresh fruit from trees planted by local residents, toddlers and elders to build intergenerational exchanges that will last a lifetime.

Dig Day will begin May 14, 2022 and we will plant our first trees as a local event to build community relationships and engagement. We will have a training session to properly teach those participating how each tree should be planted and cared for.

We will serve nutritious snacks and talk about what trees will grow best in Chicago's

Please login or sign up to like or comment.
Cutee Cooie joined TREES OF LIFE a Open Orchard group over 2 years ago

About TREES OF LIFE

Where?
Chicago, IL, USA, Cook County

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events

Who's Involved

Pearl Ramsey
Pearl Ramsey
Contact Person

Team & Members (6)

×