Knowledgebase

FOOD FOREST #928344

Asked April 14, 2026, 10:32 AM EDT

Is there anywhere in Western Maryland that you can access native fruit/nut trees and/or berry bushes for planting a food forest at home for free or very low cost?

Allegany County Maryland

Expert Response

Unfortunately Extension does not have this information since we don't collect info on plant suppliers and what's available on the market; we also don't recommend specific companies/sources. If you can't find local nurseries, there may be online vendors in the region (mid-Atlantic or northeast) that offer a variety of edible/food plants, including natives like American Persimmon, American Hazelnut, Serviceberry, Elderberry, Pawpaw, Highbush and Lowbush Blueberry, Black Huckleberry, etc. Your local Master Gardener group might have ideas, but we don't think they'll know of free sources in particular since it takes several years to grow most of those trees/shrubs to a size where the plant is old enough to start producing fruit.

Miri
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied April 14, 2026, 12:39 PM EDT

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