Where to find free local fruit on STX

There are fruit trees everywhere, on the side of the road, in the rainforest. When you get here, just drive around. More are out west where the land is more lush. There are currently no shortages of mangoes. They get run over on the road, there are so many.

most people just go into someones yard and take them, not that i recommend that.

I don't recommend that either.
It is called trespassing and theft if you take something that does not belong to you, whether it's fruit or something else.
This is a big pet peeve of mine.

I have had people actually pull into my driveway, park, get out with bag in hand to pick fruit off of my trees whereupon I must ask them to stop trespassing, get the heck off my property before I "loose de dogs." Only once in 10 years have I had 2 kids actually come and knock on the door to ask permission which I gladly gave as well as bags to carry the fruit.

It really pisses me off to find the soursop, mango's or avocado I was waiting to pick, eat and enjoy, gone.
When these people pay my property taxes, prune the trees, fertilize and take care of the grounds maintenance or ask permission, nicely, then I would consider giving them some.

The fruit on my trees do not go to waste as I share with family and friends, not total strangers trespassing on my property, stealing fruit.

I've heard of conversations like this:
Landowner: "Get out of my pool/tree/yard. This is private property."
Trespasser: "No it's not."

Putting up "No Trespassing" signs helps, a little. Apparently it's required if you want to enforce your property rights.

So many stories about the huge genip tree which was beside the pub I had on STT. There were "no trespassing" signs all over the property but they were no deterrent. As Alana mentioned, no problem with kids or adults who would come and nicely ask if they could take a couple of bunches (we sold them roadside when they were ripe as a benefit for the Humane Society) but the outright t'iefs who came with huge bags were another kettle of fish.

I caught one barely-clothed dreadlocked man with only a couple of teeth in his mouth perched high up in the tree as his cohort stood on the ground. I nicely but firmly advised them that this was private property, even went so far as to explain how they were gathered for a charitable purpose but got just a little testy when the guy up the tree started mouthing off that it was, "Jah's tree" and that everything that grew belonged to Jah and was fah free to all peoples. The guy on the ground started to get a bit nervous and advised me not to yell too much because, "he be in dat Vietnam war and he aint't quite right" while at the same time trying to get his buddy to get down.

The t'ief in the tree was still ranting about Jah and dropping spit down on me when I finally just yelled, 'SHUT UP, NOW!" As he drew breath I quietly asked him where he lived and if he grew veggies and stuff on his land. Yes, he did. "Oh great!", I said. "Come on down, give me your address and I'll be stopping over to help myself to all your goodies next week!" That worked, he quietly descended, his buddy loaded him into the truck and off they went. 😀

I've heard of conversations like this:
Landowner: "Get out of my pool/tree/yard. This is private property."
Trespasser: "No it's not."

Putting up "No Trespassing" signs helps, a little. Apparently it's required if you want to enforce your property rights.

I do have No Trespassing signs. as well as chains across the driveway and property accesses which I went to the expense of installing and that has helped to alleviate the pulling in and parking ting since the signs were completely ignored when it come's to picking "Jah's fruit" as OT mentioned.

Of course, having the dogs going a little crazy on the deck when strange people come on the property helps considerably in getting them to remove themselves, if I have to threaten to "loose dem." I, too, have asked if these same people allow everyone onto their properties/yards to pick their (Jah's) fruit and they look at me as if I must be crazy. Ahhhh! Life in de tropics, mon! Is it too early for a drink?

i have seen it and heard of so often. i imagine it would be frustrating to the property owners whose land it is on.

Well this went off topic since I said public land. I get the frustration. I agree asking should always be the appropriate course of action.

Thank you very much stxem :).

If there were avocados on public land I would die from happiness.

So would we all.

If anyone comes to get my avocados on my tree, I'm down for a fight!

You are so lucky AandA2VI

The rain forest roads are basically paved with mangoes right now.

That is awesome. I never really liked mangoes, however seems horrible to pass up free fruit. I see there are thousands of different recipes for mangoes, so I think I should acquire a taste for them.

Mango relish, mango chutney, mango cobbler, mango as toppings for different dishes, mango ice cream, mango mojitos, etc. Lots of different ways to enjoy if you dont like just the fruit itself. My sisters can devour 5-6 mangos at a sitting (several times a day and my maid can gobble down 6-8 at a time) as can other friends. I am not as addicted.

My trees did not have the abundance as in other yrs. My cashews have yet to fruit which is unusual for this time of year. Usually, over and done with by now, intead of just starting.

Sounds awesome Alana :-). I went to the store bought 2 mango's just because I forgot what they really tasted like. $4.48 a pound. They were a lot better than I remember.

If picking up fruit off the road or in a public area, do not eat the ones that have splits in the skins, small holes of any kind in them as those have some type of worm/larva theat has gotten into the fruit. Honestly, don't know if they are harmful but prefer my fruit to be pest free.

I'm working on the things I'm making for the Mango Melee this week. Super excited.

Someone once said eating a fruit with a worm in it just means you get some extra protein. hehehe. I think I will pass on eating wormy fruit as well. Thank you for the advice 🙂

I had to google the mango melee. It looks very interesting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ3FzLvenDM

So are coconuts pretty common as well or much harder to find? Lets say I find a coconut on the ground. It is not cracked and when I shack it I hear liquid does that mean it is good to go to eat?

Have you ever been to the Caribbean? lol. "are there coconuts around?"

Yes, pick a coconut up and open it. You can easily tell if it's good. When the palm starts to grow, there is cotton candy inside.

lol is it that obvious?

Nope never been to the Caribbean. I have not even had a vacation before. I have never seen a coconut on a tree. I am 28 :P. Disabled and retired Marine planning on going to school for two semesters on STX. Of course I hope I love the island and will stay longer. Reading these forums for 6 months I know what happens to new comers and how they do not stay. Or they think they are moving into perfection and I am not trying to have that attitude at all. This is kinda like a working vacation in a way.

I think I will turn into a little kid in 3 more weeks when I see my first coconut on a tree.

Yes, there are lots of coconut trees and nuts to be found.
The ones that you hear sloshing around you can get coconut water/milk from, the younger ones are jelly nuts as the flesh inside has not firmed up so 'jelly like" but good. The older ones have harder "meat" which is what you normally think of and see.
I like the jelly nuts. If you slice the harder nut meat finely you can fry slightly and add a little salt to taste which makes a nice snack.
Eating or drinking too much coconut or the milk can cause diarrhea so you may want to watch quantities consumed.

Just don't cut your hand off slicing the nut open with your machete!
There are quite a few native guys selling coconuts on side of road here in STT, so may want to check them out first and see how it's done.
Sure they also do so in STX.

Hey Jamison - what are you making for mango melee?
Pls. share!

I'm not telling. 😀

I'm not telling. 😀

Okay but you MUST share after Mango Melee!;)