Trees for urban orchard in Cape planted

A break in rainy spring weather presented an opportunity to plant Cape Girardeau's first urban orchard.

The effort is part of the recent revival of community gardening in the city.

Volunteers could be seen, shovels in hand, planting the trees Wednesday afternoon. The event was delayed from Friday -- the day Missouri celebrates Arbor Day -- because of bad weather.

The orchard sits next to the new demonstration garden at the Shawnee Park Center. Nine trees were planted: three peach, three pear and three apple.

It's necessary to plant multiple trees for pollenation purposes, said parks and recreation director Julia Thompson. The trees also are disease-resistant, she said.

Dennis Kinkead, Julia Thompson, Shawn Huston and Robert Harris were among the volunteers planting trees Wednesday for Cape Girardeau's first urban orchard. (Samantha Rinehart)

She and Robert Harris, who's been a leading advocate and volunteer for the city's community gardens for many years, said a little more patience is required with the orchard compared to the gardens. The first years of a tree's life, its energy is focused more on growth than fruit production, they said.

"It takes about three to five years; that's when they really start to come into their own," Harris said.

While he's had the opportunity to see community gardens come to life, the planting of an urban orchard was the start of another goal fulfilled for Harris.

"This was always the dream," he said, looking out at the trees.

The trees will require maintenance, such as pruning, and Thompson said the city hopes to complete work on the orchard and garden with help from volunteers. Local master gardeners are working with the city on a collaboration in which they complete volunteer work in the garden and other park spaces in exchange for a space to hold regular meetings.

Members of the public interested in becoming involved with the community garden may contact the city's parks and recreation department.

The public also is invited to the next free "green thumb" gardening class at the Shawnee Park Center on April 21, at which the topic will be "Design Your Garden, Raised Bed, Container and Lasagna Gardening."

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

835 S. West End Blvd., Cape Girardeau, Mo.