Today, the plot of land at the corner of Hill Street and Caledonia Place may not seem like much, but plans are in motion to turn the space into a community orchard. Dubuque Trees Forever, a group of passionate volunteers, is expanding its tree planting operations to develop a fruit-tree orchard in this community food desert.
The previously vacant lot has required mowing by the City of Dubuque for decades. The orchard is one piece of a larger project that will eliminate the need for mowing and provide an opportunity for free fresh fruit and enjoyment of nature. The pesticide-free, sustainable efforts include a Mowing to Monarchs pollinator garden to attract bees and butterflies to help pollinate the trees, ground cover instead of grass, and ultimately, a walking path with benches.
“Of course, these trees are going to take a long time to get to the point where they provide fruit, but the idea is that it’s going to be a place where neighbors can just come and pick some fresh fruit and have a beautiful place to sit and enjoy,” said Laura Roussell, executive director of Dubuque Trees Forever. “It will become an orchard and eliminate mowing – it’s a win-win.”
The group plans to plant 18 trees on May 10, including cherry, apple, pear, and plum varieties. It will take three to five years before neighbors can harvest a good crop, and during that time certified arborists and Master Gardeners from the Dubuque Trees Forever group will lead the planting and care plan.
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