Facilitators-Handbook-For-Permaculture

154 Facilitator’s Handbook for Permaculture Workshops

Creative thinking : Ideal trees for a nursery

Method : Group brainstorm

Tools : Black/white board, large paper, markers

References : PC Book MOD 5 – Seed Saving and Nurseries

Objective : Participants create local tree lists for future nurseries

With the help of participants, the facilitator can write a list of tree categories similar to

the list below.

Divide the participants into workgroups. Each group can brainstorm a list of trees that

they would like to grow in a local village nursery, including at least 2 or 3 trees from each

of the categories in the following list.

Tree categories:

• Fruit trees. • Timber trees.


• Animal fodder trees. • Medicinal trees.


• Bamboo. • Firewood trees.


• Handicraft trees. • Oil trees.


• Rare and endangered trees. • Shade trees.


• Wind break trees. • Fire resistant trees.


• Spice trees. • Other useful trees.

When each group has completed their list they can apply the following

questions to each tree:

• Which tree species are locally available?


• Apart from its main function, are there other functions that each tree species
  may be able to provide?


• Where can the trees be found for propagation?


• How is each tree best reproduced – seed, cutting, root stock, etc - and what is
  the best time of year to collect it?


• What costs may be involved and how can these costs be covered?

The workgroups can present the results of their considerations to the whole

group.

EXERCISE

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