NFFTT: Cross-Cultural Urban Fruit Tree Management

This research project will examine fruit tree health in the City of Toronto. This will be done by conducting a health assessment of Not Far From The Tree’s fruit trees and will examine if there is any variance between species or neighbourhoods. Additionally, since NFFTT’s trees are located on privately-owned land, this project will examine how landowners of different immigrant backgrounds have positively influenced fruit tree health. This will be done by mapping the geographical movement of Toronto’s major immigrant groups in and around the city’s neighbourhoods through time and merging this with a map of the fruit tree inventory. Any variations in species composition, health, or the overall abundance of fruit trees in a specific neighbourhood will be examined. Studying NFFTT’s fruit trees in a cultural context is important for the organization because it will help them improve fruit tree health for particular species by drawing upon a relevant knowledge base. Additionally, this project will help NFFTT educate new homeowners on intercultural fruit tree management, knowledge that is often lost when someone sells their house.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sandy Smith

Student:

Partner:

Not Far From The Tree

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of Toronto

Program: