A food forest is a layered, self-sustaining ecosystem inspired by the structure of a natural forest—but planted with species that nourish us: fruit and nut trees, berries, herbs, edible roots, flowers, vines, and more. At Tree Born, we design food forests using Permaculture and Syntropic Agroforestry principles, meaning each system is tailored to thrive in your environment while supporting soil health, biodiversity, and abundance over time.

Syntropy means "moving towards harmony and greater complexity". Syntropic Agroforestry is a regenerative growing method that mimics the natural succession of plant life in forests. It encourages dense planting, intentional pruning, and natural layering, creating systems where plants work together to regenerate the soil and produce long-term yields—without needing synthetic inputs. It's dynamic, beautiful, and incredibly resilient.

Children are the future—so let’s plant them in environments that nourish their senses, spark curiosity, and connect them to the earth. Food forests offer more than food: they’re learning landscapes, encouraging children to explore, observe, care for living things, and understand cycles of growth, decay, and renewal. These forests become places of play, purpose, and quiet magic.

Not at all. While Tree Born was inspired by planting our son’s placenta, our offering is for any child, at any age, and for any group that wants to connect kids with the land. We work with: Families (with or without placenta planting) Schools & early childhood centres Homeschool & learning groups Community organisations Regenerative land projects focused on education or healing

Nearly anywhere! We design food forests for a wide range of: Climates (temperate, subtropical, coastal, dryland) Soils (sandy, clay, compacted—we’ll help improve them naturally) Spaces (urban backyards, lifestyle blocks, rural sections, community gardens, school grounds) Whether you have a small courtyard or a hectare of open land, we’ll help you make the most of it.

That’s okay—most soils can be regenerated over time. Using organic matter, compost, deep-rooted pioneer species, and syntropic planting methods, we can build living soil as your forest grows. Poor soil is never a barrier—it’s a starting point.

Costs vary based on: Size and scope of your forest Whether you’re DIYing with our guidance, or opting for onsite design and planting support Plant choices, infrastructure needs, and any design extras. We offer a range of packages, from simple consultations and design plans to full forest installations, tailored to your goals and budget.

Connect – We start with a conversation to understand your values, vision, and space. Design – We create a personalised plan, integrating your goals with the land’s unique character. Plant – You can plant it yourself, or we can support the installation onsite. Grow – We provide ongoing guidance as your forest matures and evolves.

Absolutely. Many families and groups we work with want to weave in ceremony, ancestral plants, or spaces for quiet reflection or ritual. Whether you're marking a birth, a loss, a transition, or simply wishing to honour the land—you’re welcome to bring in the elements that hold meaning for you. We’re here to support that process with care.

While our design and consultancy services are world wide, depending on the level of support you are seeking, we can offer the organisation and shipment of plants within New Zealand. Our focus is on collaborative, site-specific design, rather than pre-packed kits. We work locally or regionally to source plants suited to your climate and land.

We’re based in Northland, Aotearoa New Zealand and love working with families and communities in person locally. For those further afield (or overseas), we offer online design services, planting guidance, and mentorship.

A forest is never "finished"—it evolves over time. But the first 1–2 years are key for getting roots established, building soil health, and setting up the structure. Many trees will begin fruiting within a few years, while others are longer-term investments. With care and intention, you'll see beauty and growth unfold from year one.

Twenty square metres is our sweet spot—it’s large enough to create a forest glade feel, with layers of life and diversity, yet small enough to be achievable for most spaces and families. Within this size, we can establish a thriving mini-ecosystem with trees, shrubs, herbs, groundcovers, and room to play or harvest. It’s also a scale that’s easy to care for and ideal for learning—perfect for children to engage with, observe seasonal changes, and build hands-on relationships with plants. And if you fall in love with it? It’s a simple, replicable model you can expand on over time.