North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Sarah T. Lovell" <Sarah.Lovell@uvm.edu>]

Hello,

I am new to this group, but interested in edible woody plants that  
might be appropriate for community and residential settings in Vermont  
(Zone 4, marginal 5 with global warming).  I am an Assistant Professor  
at the University of Vermont with a focus on Ecological Landscape  
Design and the analysis of Multifunctional Landscapes.  I plan to  
establish a trial at the Vermont Horticulture Research Center  
(http://www.uvm.edu/pss/dept/hort_farm/) this summer to evaluate and  
demonstrate shrub and small tree species that could be incorporated  
into local landscapes.  I'm selecting species based on the following  
critieria:

1. Produce edible fruits or nuts for consumption by humans
2. Low maintenance so they will not be rejected by landscape managers
3. Height <25' so they can be harvested easily
4. Some ornamental value - showy flowers, bark, interesting structure  
or texture, or good fall color

Several specific questions include the following:
1. What is the most cold hardy selection of Asimina triloba?
2. Do Corylus avellana 'Contorta' or 'Pendula' produce nuts?
3. Does Amelanchier x grandiflora come in a small version?
4. Who else is involved in related research?

Any advise on species or specific cultivars would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Sarah
-----------------------------------------

Sarah Taylor Lovell, MLA, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Plant & Soil Science
University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405
Ph. 802-656-0466  Email: Sarah.Lovell@uvm.edu