Would this be a good deed, or a not-so-good deed?

My Plan: I have a 2 yr old apple seedling that I grew from seed. About 3' tall. I'd like to plant it along a local creek trail, which is owned and maintained by the local government, I believe.

Apple trees grown from seed are not likely to have good apples, but something wildlife would appreciate.

I have no use for this tree. I have so many trees in containers, and not enough places for them all. Plus, I'm moving away soon, so I'd like to get rid of extra baggage, such as this apple tree.

There are organizations that work toward natural area restoration of these creeks i.e, "Friends of xxxxx Creek ".

Let's just assume that no one calls authorities on me while I'm planting it along the creek trail.

Are there any *ethical* problems with me doing this? As in, would I be doing nature a service or a disservice?

I'd say you're better off planting it along a roadside between the fence and the embankment. You could also pop it on www.craigslist.org under "free".

I'm with growin. Along a creek doesn't sound like the natural habitat of an apple tree.

When I lived in Atlanta I used to work with a group called Trees Atlanta. They planted trees all over the city using volunteer labor. Perhaps you could find such a group and donate your trees to them? I wonder if the local garden club could help in placing your trees.

I think it's great that you want to do this. Hope you find a good home for them!
Sherry

I probably wouldn't plant it anywhere without permission, especially not by the creek because as firstyard said, that's not a natural place for it and you may be interfering with what the Friends of the Creek are trying to do. You could of course call them and see if by some chance they'd want it, maybe they would! The other thing you can do besides donating them is what I did before I moved--let a bunch of friends come over and take what they wanted, and I also posted on the California forum and some fellow DG'ers who lived near me came and took a bunch more off my hands. That worked pretty well, I think I only ended up having to move one or two of the plants that I had tried to give away

Now that you say so, it would be a little unnatural to find an apple tree close to a creek. Plus, the "Friends of xxxxx Creek" do such a good job anyway.

I think the creek trail is out. Something more along the lines of a meadow would be better. Thanks for the sensible input.
Not saying my apple tree won't mysteriously end up in a wilderness park, but the creek trail is out.

Growin: giving away trees is less fun, because then their fate is out of my control. People tend to let the trees sit in their containers neglected, and let them die. Or, they don't water them once they are planted. Friends and relatives have disappointed me too many times.

My craigslist success story: I offered a free scarlet oak with the rules that I had to see it being planted, with my own eyes, and it has to be visible from the street. A woman my age who lived near me wanted it in her yard as a memorial to her father. I delivered it to her house, and she planted it right then. Since it is visible from the street, I know the tree is still doing great!

This message was edited Aug 24, 2006 9:50 AM

That's why I felt good giving some of my stuff away to DG'ers--I knew it would find a good home! And the only non-DG friends I offered stuff to I also knew would properly appreciate the plants. I don't blame you for wanting to find a good home for them!

I do have strong reservations about planting non-native flora in wild areas, especially if they are trying to keep them wild. No, a tamed apple tree is not a good thing in a wilderness.