Delicious mulberries were at the height of season in early July for the Annex Residents’ Association’s (ARA) first ever Mulberry Festival. Organized by Trees Please, an ARA working group, and sponsored by the association and COBS Bread, the event drew about 70 to 80 participants who celebrated the urban forest and a love of mulberries.

The participants picked six local mulberry trees, and visited what the ARA calls “the most incredible back yard garden”. Other activities included a seeding demonstration, a talk about the city’s tree canopy, and, of course, eating copious amounts of mulberries.

The association hopes to make the festival an annual event. To volunteer or have your mulberry tree picked next year, please email events@theara.org.

—Terri Chu/Gleaner News

Terri Chu, a member of the ARA, helped organize this event. She also writes this paper’s Greenings column.