A food forest is a carefully designed and maintained ecosystem of beneficial plants and animals. Soil fertility is self-sustaining through the use of nitrogen-absorbing trees and plants, which get their nutrients from the deeper soil layers.
A forest-like ecosystem develops through an extremely efficient food cycle. The high biodiversity of the forest attracts natural enemies for pests and diseases. The forest is resilient in itself, strong and healthy.
In a food forest there are trees and plants that are directly or indirectly useful to us. Edible trees and plants, about 200 to 300 different species, perennial crops. A mature food forest gives us fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables, lettuces, herbs, spices, honey, but also wood or binding and braiding material.