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perennial, climbing, nitrogen fixers that don't choke trees

 
Posts: 78
Location: Southeast Michigan
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Well, title pretty much sums it up.
That's what I'm looking for.

Bonus points if they're:
-cold hardy
-edible or at least fodder for something you'd raise
-pretty
-you have direct experience with them on trees

I'm getting together some comprehensive information on tree guilds. Fruit tree, nut tree, lumber, etc. We have a TON of small time abandoned orchards in my area and I'm hoping this information will help in rehabilitating them.
I'm also hoping to get a lot of the info slimmed down into a pamphlet or printout I can give out to people interested in permaculture.

I think a pretty, edible garden underneath a fruit tree is the kind of accessible, suburban-friendly thing that could serve as a great entry point into the permaculture world for a lot of people.
 
steward
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Here are some perennial nitrogen fixing climbers that are hardy to zone 11: Lord Arison's Peas, Jicama, and the Lima Bean.

Here are some perennial nitrogen fixing climbers with high edibility ratings: Kudzu Vine, Jicama, Hyacinth Bean, and Hog Peanut. <---these ones are less hardy (up to zone 9), except for the jicama

These plants were found using the Plants For a Future Database.
 
Matthew McCoul
Posts: 78
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Thanks, that link is a great resource
 
pioneer
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Location: North-Central Idaho, 4100 ft elev., 24 in precip
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Groundnut is a hardy N fixing vine. It has an edible underground nut and attractive pea like blossom. Im growing it here in Idaho and it doesn't really seem like it would really strangle a tree like some other vines might. I posted some more info on groundnut here: http://traditionalcatholichomestead.com/2015/05/16/homestead-heros-plants-of-promise-ground-nut-strawberry/
 
I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay, I sleep all night and work all day. Lumberjack ad:
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