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Building a food forest takes thought and planning. But the payoff can be tremendous: A low-maintenance, all natural and indefinite source of fruits, nuts, herbs and vegetables, not to mention a place of solace and communion.

A food forest comprises seven layers: the tall canopy, the smaller trees, the shrubs, the herbs, the roots, the groundcover and the vines.

1. Canopy: Oaks, Black Cherries, Chestnuts and Black Walnuts.

2. Understory: Persimmon and Hazelnut. Flowering Dogwood to fix nitrogen

3. Shrubs: Serviceberry, Blueberry, Elderberry, Viburnum and Aronia

4. Herbaceous: Mountain mint. You might add rosemary, lavender and vegetables

5. Roots: Carrots and radishes

6. Groundcover: Wild strawberry, common blue violet

7. Vines: Grapes, beans

Our kits include everything except the vines and root vegetables.

Images: Black Cherry Tree, Blueberry, Strawberry, Hazelnut, Mountain Mint

Building a Food Forest

SKU: FF01-SS

$510.00

Quantity

We expect this kit to be ready by May 15, 2026. Substitutions may be necessary.

Our food forest plan is suitable for a small area of perhaps 200 square feet. It is intended as a starter kit.

Below are examples of plants that would do well in an area of full sun and moist, well-drained soil.

Feel free to request substitutions and reach out if you have a damp or shady area and are looking for alternatives (jennifer@treetalknatives.com).

For good yield, we are recommending four Hazelnut and two Blueberry, and five Strawberry to get started on a ground cover.

Black Cherry Tree $45

Elderberry $45 (best eaten cooked)

Hazelnut $50 x 4

Shadbush Serviceberry $45

Red Chokeberry $85

Blueberry, highbush $38 x 2

Mountain Mint $10

Wild Strawberry $12 x 5

Blackhaw Viburnum can be substituted for American Cranberrybush or blueberry, but you will need at least two Blackhaw for fruit.

$510 = a 10% discount from individual purchases

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