My family’s home is on good soil. Land once used for vast cherry farms was plotted out into residences in the 1900’s. From when we bought our home, my father and I have planted numerous fruit trees in the backyard to replace ivy and rosebushes. In total, we have over 10 different fruits and citruses growing perennially and a rotation of tomatoes and zucchini, among others, growing annually. I quite enjoy having these trees because of the convenience and monetary value that the trees provide our family. Fresh fruit is always on the table in the warm months, and company always leaves with a bag full of hyperlocal produce. Growing our own food forest has reduced my family’s carbon footprint because the practice reduces our need to travel for food and the trees take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. For me and my family, growing fruit trees and other foods have been a rewarding and environmentally sustainable decision that gives us real-world tangible benefits.