{"id":47238,"date":"2026-04-24T10:00:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T14:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=47238"},"modified":"2026-04-27T11:43:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T15:43:44","slug":"marylands-edible-understory-is-on-the-verge-of-being-discovered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2026\/04\/24\/marylands-edible-understory-is-on-the-verge-of-being-discovered\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland\u2019s \u201cEdible Understory” is on the Verge of Being Discovered"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Sign<\/a>

Sign featuring the harvest calendar at White Marsh Edible Trail in Centreville. Photo by Gregg Bortz, Maryland DNR<\/p><\/div>\n

Agroforestry is the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and livestock systems to improve productivity, resilience, and long-term sustainability. At the Maryland Forest Service, Francis Smith aims to expand its use for communities across the state.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is an edible and medicinal understory below our forest canopy that offers benefits to landowners ranging from backyard gardeners and beekeepers to traditional farmers,\u201d Smith, a natural resources planner, said.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Maryland, Smith\u2019s recommended plant list consists of common elderberry, beach plum, black chokeberry, serviceberry, paw paw, American hazelnut, common persimmon, wild American plum, and high bush blueberry. Larger trees than can be incorporated include black walnut, hickory, chestnut and maple. Woody florals such as red osier and winterberry can also provide a harvest that can be turned into colorful craft products.<\/span><\/p>\n

Agroforestry also creates opportunities beyond the farm. These products support emerging markets, including value-added goods like specialty foods and distilled products, while opening new income streams for landowners. Communities are also exploring \u201cfood forests\u201d as a way to increase access to fresh, locally grown food in both rural and urban areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

From the Past to the Present<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Man<\/a>

Francis Smith of the Maryland Forest Service explains the various species at White Marsh Edible Trail during DNR Science Week in October 2025. Photo by Gregg Bortz, Maryland DNR<\/p><\/div>\n

In the seven years Smith has worked within agroforestry, he has seen interest grow considerably.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Much of the knowledge Smith is compiling has been preserved and shared by Native Americans.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo me, agroforestry is really just a scientific word for indigenous stewardship,\u201d Smith said. \u201c[Native Americans] were the original stewards before \u2018stewardship\u2019 was even a word.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The opportunity for communities is on display at the <\/span>White Marsh Park Edible Trail<\/span><\/a>. This experimental food forest or native fruit and nut orchard in Centreville features 6 species to explore: hazelnut, persimmon, American plum, black chokeberry, paw paw and high bush blueberry. All of them produce fruit or nuts that are edible, and they\u2019re free for the taking for any visitor to the park.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now in its seventh season, the food forest has a growing crop of native fruits, nuts, and berries. The food forest also powers a spirit of culinary experimentation that has stoked inspiration statewide, with student groups investigating oils that can be made from hazelnuts or nutrition-packed drinks from chokeberries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is where I think Maryland\u2019s range of native understory trees and shrubs that produce edible, healthy fruits and nuts could possibly serve as a steady supplemental income or farm marketing opportunity,\u201d Smith said while also explaining that a food forest could be a great addition in large backyard gardens or for hands-on learning at schools.<\/span><\/p>\n

Incorporating Agroforestry on Farmland<\/b><\/p>\n

The Forest Service works in close partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) in promoting and supporting agroforestry on farms and in communities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Smith shared six agroforestry practices that could be implemented on farms. Many of these practices, especially food forests, can also be used in gardens, on school grounds, or even in public spaces.<\/span><\/p>\n