How to calculate area of edible nut- and fruit-bearing plants?

Noriko Nagazumi

Woonerf Inc.

LEEDuser Basic Member

57 thumbs up

April 8, 2015

Is there any guidance on how to calculate the area of edible nut and fruit bearing trees? I assume we could calculate the area based on the position of the tree trunks or the tree crown. Also, are we supposed to exclude the are of paths inside the food production vegetated area (gross area or net area)? Thanks in advance.

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Chloe Bendistis

Sustainability Technical Manager

The Sheward Partnership, LLC

LEEDuser Basic Member

17 thumbs up

Tue, 06/18/2019 - 17:52

To calculate area of plantings, LEED typically recommends the area of the planting as shown on the landscape plan (e.g. area of tree or shrub canopy). Most Landscape Architects we work with confirmed the canopy shown on plans is indicative of 10 years of growth per professional and industry standards. Also, the Pilot Credit language was likely updated since your post to specify the following "area calculated shall be the actual growing area used for the production of food bearing plants," which excludes areas for retaining walls, paving, and pathways. I was able to meet the minimum area requirements based on extents of dedicated garden areas, or area of soil intended for foot producing plants.