Site Assessment
Every proposed Community Orchard or Community Food Forest should undergo a structured site assessment before planning commences. Site assessment provides the foundation for responsible decision-making and helps ensure that landscape selection reflects environmental suitability, community benefit and long-term sustainability. A site unsuitable for orchards or food forests may still be highly suitable for another Community Landscape model.
Assessment Criteria
Environmental Conditions
Climate, rainfall, sunlight, prevailing winds, drainage and local ecological characteristics.
Soil Assessment
Soil type, fertility, contamination risk, drainage characteristics and long-term suitability for productive planting.
Water Availability
Long-term access to sustainable water sources and opportunities for efficient water management.
Existing Land Use
Current recreational, environmental, cultural and community uses should be evaluated before any landscape change is considered.
Community Suitability
Local support, accessibility, educational opportunities, volunteer capacity and community partnerships.
Long-Term Management
Availability of appropriate stewardship, maintenance capacity, governance arrangements and ongoing community support.
Site Selection Principle
The objective of site assessment is not to identify locations where trees can simply be planted. It is to identify locations where Community Orchards or Community Food Forests are likely to deliver the greatest long-term environmental, educational and community value while remaining sustainable throughout their expected lifespan. Where a site is assessed as unsuitable, alternative Community Landscape models should be considered.