Overview | Program Information | Program History | Orchard Tour | Grow an Orchard | Links

Nira Rock Urban Wild

The National Industry Recovery Act (NIRA), signed by President Roosevelt during the Great Depression, is this site’s namesake. This site was formerly a puddingstone quarry. Today, the 1.8 acre site is a small, flat, planted area bordered by two streets with access points, private housing, a parking lot, and the Jefferson Playground.

Boston Natural Areas Network (BNAN) did extensive work at Nira Rock during the 1980's. EarthWorks began planting fruit trees at Nira in 1990. The fruit trees include five apple trees (two of which are wild), four pears, a cherry with three root sprouts, a plum, and three filazels as well as grapes, juneberries, raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries, and currants. Current efforts by EarthWorks are directed at trash removal, the elimination of invasive species such as tree-of-heaven, stinging nettle, and Norway Maple, and the planting of native species. For further information about Nira Rock Urban Wild, visit the city of Boston's Urban Wilds website.

Location: At the end of Nira St. off of Day St.
Plants: Five apples (two of which are wild), 4 Bartlett pears, 4 Northstar cherries, a Stanley Prune plum, two grapes, three filazels, three juneberries, and many raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries, currants.
Accessibility: All plants are publicly accessible.

Back to Top