Days gone by we used to walk as far as Black Spring and Old Wharfe with our bread bags looking grapes. Also 'Cowitch' which we used to put on grass straw. What a time that was! We used to leave home from around 10 and return home around 3 - sometimes our parents have to send someone to come look if we are alive. It used to be around 8 or 10 of us combing the beach side eating and filling our bags with good old grapes. Most of these trees have been eroded or cut down. Those were really fun times.

Don't forget the huge grape walk around Back Seaside. All types, including green skin and red skin. We used to full de paint pan dem fi bring back home. Anybody knows if those trees are still there?

I believe the back seaside you are referring to is the Great Bay end - most of these trees have been cut down or washed away by previous hurricanes. If you are referring to the Billy's Bay end - it's the same problem. The entire sea coast has changed. In addition, the kids nowadays don't even care much about grapes anyway. Gone were the good old days.

Funny you guys should mention this subject; I've been in Florida 10 years and just now discovered that the grapes are just as sweet. My wife and I are keeping the tradition of looking grapes alive here in florida. The trees are loaded and they are so sweet, we're just loving it. Its really amazing to me that the folks around the areas have no idea what these things are or even what they taste like. Just came from their this morniong off the beach got me a nice bag full and man they are good.

There used to be a grape tree at back seaside call John Belly Full the grapes were big, black and sweet,i was wondering if it still there.

I too have some good memories from those days walking the coast from Folichon to Billys Bay looking for grapes.
Some of my brothers, sisters and cousins and I had some great times picking grapes together.

Those truly were some good old days.

Take Care all.

God bless.

Reminisce I meant Great Bay. Didn't know Billy's Bay had a Back Seaside too. Too bad about the trees but thanks for the info. I don't know where in Florida you are Rohan, but we found some big old grapes on Hollywood Beach a few days ago. I'm planning another raid as soon as time permits.

Also, here in Fl there are many places where Coco Plum is used for hedges. I don't know if the plants are a miniature variety, or if they would grow larger if left uncut. The fruits are also smaller.

Thanks for reminding me about Coco Plums. It seems as if a lot of Jamaicans don't know this fruit, as I used to ask persons from different areas. Is it only in our area? Also, are they extinct? I have not seen one of these from I was a kid, and I am now almost 50 years.
Thanks guys for picking up this thread, as it was written from Nov 28, 08 (almost 1 year later). These were very good memories for me. I remember those lizards in the grape trees, the same colour of the limbs - Ouch!

I tried to stew the grapes once - but it was mushy! My my my! Just wondering if anyone had tried this?

On a recent visit to TB I noticed that the grape trees down Old Wharf were all cut down. I also noticed that 'Panty Hole' was dumped up as well. I can't understand why this was done; that's cherished memories stolen/erased. Although we did not grow hog berries on the beaches, that's also one of the things we ate as children.

it is unfortunate that we have learned to co exist peacefully with nature, we have destroyed
everything that is irreplacible, and then we cry about being flooded out of our homes, i was looking at sattelite view of treasurs beach recently, and it appeared as barren a haiti,
destroy the environment, destroy yourself, how
smart is that??

I remember when I used to live in Treasure beach. Every year me and my cousins and family from lewis town used to go to Billy's
Bay and Fort Charles and pick Grapes, but apparently they are there no more. Even when I was in JA this year for a holiday I wanted to go to new sabana to pick mangoes, grapes and ginep, but not only could we not make it all the way there because the road is all wired up, but no one doesnt do that anymore! those days used to be so fun and the highlights of my childhood.how times have changed,and I am only 24, so it wasnt even that long ago! I think TB people should realise how lucky they are to have all those wonderful fruit trees and take advantage of it, compared to rainy England!

You and I are in the same age group Reminisce (probably know each other), so our memories are no doubt similar. Coco plums are not just native to our area, as I mentioned before, but they are rare. I only remember one tree in the sandy hill, on the other side of of Salt Spring Hole from the Great Bay Hill. It was close to the lane leading to Back Seaside (hope that makes sense). I also remember that Maas Austin (Backitive) had one in his yard.

I share your sentiments about Panty Hole Me2. Sometime ago a seawall was built there, blocking easy access from there to Old Wharf. Nature later applied a little karma and took it out by force. If you meant that they dumped the hole itself, don't worry. Neptune will remove that as well!

Years ago, a friend gave my family the present of a tree planted in one of the Irish islands in our name. It was a reforestation project. The tree will be tended until strong enough to support itself. We got a picture of said tree and certificate of naming.

I assume some of the donation went to someone who planted the seed, cared for the seedling, planted the tree and will tend it. The rest to benefit local community projects.

I would be happy to contribute towards any such project.

Some income for any interested, some trees to green the dry, some fruits faster than you think and beauty for the eyes.

Cost of seeds $0, cost of pot $0, if you think recycled paint pan. Water may cost a couple $. The rest is collect, plant, care, transplant and more care.

If every school in Jamaica participated every year, we would have great quantities of fruits and nuts available. More every year. Shade, beauty, birds, rain water retention etc. Treasure.

TB would be a good start.

THERE A STILL FEW GRAPE TREES AT OLD WHARF AND THOSE GRAPE ARE SO SWEET,BUT SOONER OR LATER A FEW OF THOSE THREES WILL BE GONE,THERE ARE BIG CONSTRUCTION GOING ON ON THE
BEACH FRONT JUST ABOVE THE TAMBRIND TREE IT SEEMS AS IF THE PEOPLE THAT BUY THE SAND HEAP PUTTING UP BIG WALLS RIGHT ON THE SAND.

Next time you're in TB, Turey, talk to Levon Taylor about his lignum vitae dream.

Thanks Van. I'll check him when I come down.

REMINISCE i think you are wrong about kids not caring about the grapes...in billy's bay the kids literally race to devour the grapes on the few remaining grape trees there. these trees are in front of Hikaru guest house and la sirena on the beach. they were strong enough to survive the hurricane. be sure to check em out when grapes are in season again ok. take care

I sure will check them out BBay kid - however I won't be there in quite a while. When does the grapes ripe again - I forgot - is it Summertime? My reason for saying this is that most of our kids have so many other things to occupy their time - like computer, playstation, 'home-work' etc. I am glad the kids are enjoying them then as they are quite nutritious fruits!

Billys Bay Kid, Iam a Billy's Bay kid too, this is so funny,it was just a couple of days ago I was laying down thinking, and day dreaming about all those grapes we use go to Black Spring to pick up by the bucket full,man were they good,we use to even take them to school and sell them to the other kids, boy those were the good old days, haven't gone down there in years, wonder if those trees are still trere. last year I was in Jamaica and I did get some from those trees down by Mr.Noels place,that beach doesn't look anything like it use to.One love.

yes the hurricane changed alot but the grapes are still standing. lol yes there are a good amount of grape trees in black spring too.

I've just come back from spending time with family and friends in Naples, FL. My parents took us to the beach one day and this is what I saw on either side of the pathway heading out to the beach. Mmmmmmm!

As BillysBayKid said, the grapes are still flourishing near our Hikaru and to the west. And that's evidence of a special role the sea grape trees play in a hurricane: As the front-line soldiers who suffer heavy casualties but hold back the advancing army, protecting the weaker troops back inland. After Ivan that coastal front line looked terrible, but the land behind it was mostly preserved. Rebecca and some others organized a crew with chain saws to clear away the dead and damaged branches; and now lo and behold! the natural orchard is back.

Welcome back rebecca. Thank God for your safely arrival. So you was in Naples...You wasn't far from me

Hello miss rebecca i missed you. Welcome back!!

At Haulover Beach in Miami Beach, the park ranger does not allow you to pick the grape. Thought is was illegal everywhere else in the State too. I know the grape trees are to protect the sand dunes, but I don't see how picking the grapes would harm the trees. Looks like i'll have to move to Naples.

Thanks guys! As much as I enjoy every moment visiting with my parents, it sure feels good to be back home.

I remember those grape treks along the beach from Frenchman to Black Spring,with my siblings and cousins (a sizable crowd),and although the grapes were the goal, the adventure was priceless!! It was a "calender event" like Christmas!
Are there more than one variety? Apart from the sort of pear shaped type, there was this larger round type- dark purple when fully ripe. To me this grape is nicer than the "American" grape.
Can anyone say where the name Black Spring came from? I seem to recall that fresh water was leeching into the sea near the shore-was this so?

I'd buy a pint of seeds of the grape like variety.

Just last year, I found some in Billy´s Bay, they are GOOD when they are ripe, you can´t stop eating them...the storm could have washed them all off the trees

Is it grape time now i remember those days too

It's also cherry time now! Debbian and I picked some cherries a few days ago and Debbian made some delicious cherry juice. That was my first homemade cherry juice and it was great!

Hi Rebecca,

Sounds like you and Debbian need to make cherry martinis! Yum!

xo Meredith