Planting fruit trees

in the streets is something that does happen in other places. It is rare here.
Perhaps people simply haven't thought of it. Perhaps trying to keep the trees alive and watered is too difficult. I don't know what the problem is but it is something I have often thought would be a good idea.  
Someone else thinks it might be a good idea too. It was mentioned in an article in the paper this morning.
I know there will be people who think it is an appalling idea. I can hear the arguments now about the mess the fruit will make and the hazard it will be if it drops on the ground. Well, get used to that idea and pick it  up perhaps? What about a "fruit-watch" scheme like Neighbourhood Watch? Or even employ someone to go around and make sure the roads and paths are clear? It could pay to do that.
And who would the fruit belong to? How would you stop people "stealing" it or, if allowed to pick it, taking more than their fair share?
But think of the possibility of helping to feed people and animals and birds? Think of the shelter the trees could provide and the value they would bring to the urban environment as a whole. 
Where I live there are a lot of plane trees. They're fine. They provide a lot of shade at the times when they are most needed but they don't provide food. We also have a lot of jacaranda trees. I like the look of them when they are in flower but  they are every bit as messy as a fruit tree would be.  
There are gum trees. River red gums are popular and so are lemon scented gums. I know they are "native" to Downunder but I would ban them in urban areas. They drop leaves and branches and detritus year round and they are a major hazard underfoot. They most certainly shouldn't be planted anywhere near a house because even seemingly healthy trees have been known to drop large limbs through heat distress and lack of water.  
Oh yes, watering trees is a major problem. We need to be aware of that.
And then there are the golden rain trees (in our street) that seem to be more than a bit out of hand at the moment. (Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that I tend to water two of them and several neighbours do the same.)
I really don't see fruit trees as having any more problems than the trees we already have.
Not so long ago I was coming home along a street I didn't know and someone was covering a fig tree with netting. Covering a tree with netting is an awkward job and almost impossible to do alone.
   "You couldn't throw that bit up to me, could you?" I was asked as I pedalled past.  I stopped and threw up the end of the net to where he was standing rather precariously on a ladder.
The fig tree is, like our peach tree, there by accident and, according to the man doing the netting, the neighbours who like figs just help themselves. 
    "We've got to know each other over this tree," he told me.
Now that is another good reason to plant a fruit tree. 
 
That's a bit more difficult but it isn't impossible.