Growing fruit in Texas is not for the faint of heart. Between our heat, the cold snaps, drought, pests, and diseases, it can be very difficult to keep fruit trees healthy, happy, and producing delicious fruit. At the same time, it’s not unusual to stumble across a tree that is thriving and producing fruit against the odds–perhaps an ancient pear tree growing on the site of an old homestead, a wild peach tree sprouted from a discarded pit, or a locally-adapted fig tree that’s been passed down across multiple generations through cuttings. We believe it’s important to preserve the genetics of these hardy varieties, for the sake of biodiversity and building more resilient local food systems in the face of climate change.

Supported by an Urban Forest Grant through the City of Austin, the Central Texas Heirloom Fruit Tree Preservation Project seeks to identify, propagate, and share these special trees with the public. Community engagement is a crucial part of the project’s mission, and we hold regular classes, grafting workshops, scion swaps, and other meetups to raise awareness and empower the public to participate in our preservation efforts. 

Are you interested in getting involved? Do you know of a fruit tree that is thriving without much human intervention? Please reach out to us at centraltexasfruitproject@gmail.com. 

If you use INaturalist, please add your observations of fruit trees to our Heirloom Fruit Tree Preservation Project.