This urban forest feeds an American neighbourhood

The idea of the food forest – also known as the "forest garden" – was first developed in Europe in the 1980s, notably by the British horticulturist Robert Hart. Photo: AFP

In the vast green space, home to fruits, vegetables, herbs, mushrooms and more, local residents can help themselves to whatever they like, for free. That's the idea behind this food forest, created in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States.

This former farm, which once grew pecan nuts, covers an area of over 28,000sq m. Among other things, it is home to mushrooms, herbs and a wide variety of fruits.

The entire zone is managed using methods of permaculture, so that its upkeep and the cultivation of its various plants requires minimal human intervention and no chemical input with products such as pesticides.