Fruit trees taking root in Bishop's Falls NL

When you think of fruit trees and this province, you don’t necessarily think Bishop’s Falls. 
Yet, that is exactly what the central Newfoundland town is becoming known for this summer. 
Earlier this year the town decided to explore the idea of adding to their existing community garden at the Fallsview Municipal Park.
They decided on fruit trees. 
Through funding provided from the provincial government, Tree Canada and Northridge, the town received enough money to purchase 30 fruit trees consisting of apples, plums and pears. 
“We had been looking at green initiatives to do in the town and this was something different,” said Bishop’s Falls Mayor Bryan King. “We thought maybe people might want to get on board with it.” 
You might be thinking that there might be different ways to push green in a community in Newfoundland and Labrador other than planting fruit trees. Given the climate here and the fact that summer sometimes arrives late, if at all, it wouldn’t be a stretch to think fruit tress might not survive here. 
However, the town did its research and found trees that would be suitable for the local climate.
On June 1, more than two dozen people showed up to help plant the trees at the garden and take ownership of the tree they helped put in the ground. 
King noted local citizens have really stepped up to care for the trees and bought into the idea of being a green community.  
He says there are times when he will leave work and head for the orchard with his family to give the tree they’ve adopted some TLC. 
“I’ve been surprised how it's been going,” said King. “It is a pretty neat green initiative and the community is taking pride in it.” 
He said the town is looking to expand the garden due to demand for both planting boxes and fruit trees.