Species Guild
The Carolinian Food Forest is a large site designed in an integrated manner so there are supporting species through the forest. On a smaller site, with 1 or 2 trees you would want to plant a guild to get the same effects. A guild is an assembly of plants that help support a central element, generally a fruit or nut tree. As a mini-ecosystem these supporting plants provide nutrients, mulch, pest control and attract pollinators for the central tree. Planting a guild on your front lawn or in a corner of your backyard is a quick and easy way to beautify your landscape with edibles and medicinals that come back every year and are low maintenance.
