By Hannah Shinall

Snackscaping is a made-up term to mean that you have fruit/nut bearing trees and plants on your landscape. A huge benefit to growing these trees on your property is that you will have access to a yield of fresh, locally grown food. This will impact you, your local economy, and your carbon footprint in a positive direction.

Another advantage is that most fruit trees do well in both urban and suburban settings, making this an easy process no matter where you live. Some of the most popular fruit trees that are easy to maintain nationwide are apple, plum, damson, cherry, pear, elderberry, peach, and figs. However, due to East Tennessee’s mild climate and four seasons, trees that produce pears, apples, persimmons, black walnuts, and pecans will thrive more efficiently. These trees will also help to solve erosion issues and storm-water management in the area they are planted.

Snackscaping also offers the social benefit of helping people become connected to the growing process while also providing a nutritious food source and food security. Planting these trees also has a positive effect on the environment by reducing carbon-emissions, reducing energy costs, providing cleaner air, and providing green jobs within the community. 

Before planting any trees on your landscape, you should do some research or contact your local soil conservation district to be sure what you’re planting is not going to be invasive in its environment.