Generally, there are eight layers to a Food Forest. Each layer represents a different set of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other edible plants. The goal of a Food Forest is to fill a space to the brim with as much biodiversity as possible, creating an ecosystem of edible and non-edible plants that can provide for humans, as well as the native wildlife. We chose to make a Food Forest because they mimic the autonomous ecosystem of a forest, they're low maintenance, improve air quality, and have a positive effect on the land surrounding them. They connect communities with nature and provide space for the plants within them to help one another grow sustainably.

Layer 1 - The Tall Tree or Canopy Layer

This layer consists of large trees that provide protection to the layers underneath it; it’s composed of trees that are typically around 9 meters (30 feet) high or more when fully mature. These trees can include large nut trees, such as walnut or chesnut, fruit trees like pears and plums, or non-food producing trees such as oak and pine. However, dense, spreading species of trees can block too much sunlight from the lower layers, so maple and pine are not great options for a canopy layer. 

Layer 2 - The Sub-Canopy or Large Shrub Layer

The sub-canopy layer is commonly comprised of smaller fruit tree's such as apple, apricot, lemon, peach, or cherry trees. This layer is shorter than the first, but can be considered the top layer in residential areas where 30 ft high trees are not an option. These trees typically grow to be about 10 to 30 feet high, and are incredibly beneficial to wildlife. 

Layer 3 - The Shrub Layer

This layer in the Food Forest includes flowering, fruiting, wildlife attracting shrubs. Berry bushes, such as raspberry, strawberry, and mulberry, are common, but it can also include medicinal plants such as witch hazel and elderberry. Shrubs can come in all different shapes and sizes, which makes them useful for planting in any space that needs coverage. This layer can also act as a natural barrier in more structurally developed gardens.

Layer 4 - The Herbaceous Layer 

The herb layer doesn't just consist of your run of the mill herbs, it can also include any non-woody vegetation, such as vegetable and flowers. This layer consists of plants that you would typically expect to find in a backyard garden: garlic, asparagus, kale, rhubarb, basil, parsley, rosemary, cilantro, chamomile, and many more. 

Layer 5 - The Ground Cover Layer

Ground cover includes low, ground-hugging plants—preferably varieties that offer food or habitat—that can fit into the edges and the spaces between shrubs and herbs. This includes clover, creeping thyme, mint, flowers such as phlox and verbena, and even strawberries. 

Layer 6 - The Vine Layer

The vine layer is exactly what it sounds like. This layer is for climbing plants that can make their way up tree trunks and branches, filling all unused spaces with food and habitat. Kiwifruit, honeysuckle, passionflower, grapes, vining berries, along with melons, squash, and cucumbers can all be found in this layer. 

Layer 7 - The Root Layer

The soil is one of the most important parts of a Food Forest, and we should utilize it to it's full potential. Root vegetables such as daikon, ginseng, ginger, scallions, potatoes, and leeks are perfect for this layer. Even some flowers such as dahlia and lily can grow well in this layer, and they produce starchy tubers that can be used as vegetables or ground into flour. However, deep-rooted varities of plants such as carrots don’t work well because the digging they require will disturb the other plants of the forest. The goal is to provide easily accessible, edible plants that can be harvested without disrupting the ecosystem that has been created in the area. 

Layer 8 - The Mycellium Layer

This layer is not always included in the design of a Food Forest, largely because fungi are always going to be a part of any natural forest. But planting a mycelial layer can actually help plants to create a stronger root system and to grow more healthy. The mycelium network of fungi helps to transport moisture and nutrients around different areas of the forest.