diff --git a/src/etc/testcases/types/xmlfragment.xml b/src/etc/testcases/types/xmlfragment.xml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cf1e3559c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/etc/testcases/types/xmlfragment.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+<project>
+  <typedef name="fragment"
+           classname="org.apache.tools.ant.util.XMLFragment"/>
+
+  <fragment id="nested-text">foo</fragment>
+
+  <fragment id="with-children">
+    <child1>foo</child1>
+    <child2 foo="bar"/>
+    <child3>
+      <child4/>
+    </child3>
+  </fragment>
+</project>
diff --git a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/util/JAXPUtils.java b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/util/JAXPUtils.java
index 033ade3bf..e4f6f8c87 100644
--- a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/util/JAXPUtils.java
+++ b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/util/JAXPUtils.java
@@ -54,6 +54,8 @@
 package org.apache.tools.ant.util;
 
 import java.io.File;
+import javax.xml.parsers.DocumentBuilder;
+import javax.xml.parsers.DocumentBuilderFactory;
 import javax.xml.parsers.FactoryConfigurationError;
 import javax.xml.parsers.ParserConfigurationException;
 import javax.xml.parsers.SAXParser;
@@ -97,6 +99,12 @@ public class JAXPUtils {
      */
     private static SAXParserFactory nsParserFactory = null;
 
+    /**
+     * Parser factory to use to create document builders.
+     *
+     * @since Ant 1.7
+     */
+    private static DocumentBuilderFactory builderFactory = null;
 
     /**
      * Returns the parser factory to use. Only one parser factory is
@@ -209,6 +217,20 @@ public class JAXPUtils {
         return fu.toURI(file.getAbsolutePath());
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns a newly created DocumentBuilder.
+     *
+     * @return a DocumentVuilder
+     * @since Ant 1.7
+     */
+    public static DocumentBuilder getDocumentBuilder() throws BuildException {
+        try {
+            return getDocumentBuilderFactory().newDocumentBuilder();
+        } catch (ParserConfigurationException e) {
+            throw new BuildException(e);
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * @return a new SAXParser instance as helper for getParser and
      * getXMLReader.
@@ -241,4 +263,24 @@ public class JAXPUtils {
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Obtains the default builder factory if not already.
+     *
+     * @since Ant 1.7
+     */
+    private static synchronized 
+        DocumentBuilderFactory getDocumentBuilderFactory() 
+        throws BuildException {
+        if (builderFactory == null) {
+            try {
+                builderFactory = DocumentBuilderFactory.newInstance();
+            } catch (FactoryConfigurationError e) {
+                throw new BuildException("Document builder factory has not "
+                                         + "been configured correctly: "
+                                         + e.getMessage(), e);
+            }
+        }
+        return builderFactory;
+    }
+
 }
diff --git a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/util/XMLFragment.java b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/util/XMLFragment.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e738e937a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/util/XMLFragment.java
@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+/*
+ * The Apache Software License, Version 1.1
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2003 The Apache Software Foundation.  All rights
+ * reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ *
+ * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ * 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
+ *    the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ *    distribution.
+ *
+ * 3. The end-user documentation included with the redistribution, if
+ *    any, must include the following acknowlegement:
+ *       "This product includes software developed by the
+ *        Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/)."
+ *    Alternately, this acknowlegement may appear in the software itself,
+ *    if and wherever such third-party acknowlegements normally appear.
+ *
+ * 4. The names "Ant" and "Apache Software
+ *    Foundation" must not be used to endorse or promote products derived
+ *    from this software without prior written permission. For written
+ *    permission, please contact apache@apache.org.
+ *
+ * 5. Products derived from this software may not be called "Apache"
+ *    nor may "Apache" appear in their names without prior written
+ *    permission of the Apache Group.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED
+ * WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+ * OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+ * DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE APACHE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION OR
+ * ITS CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF
+ * USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
+ * ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
+ * OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
+ * OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
+ * SUCH DAMAGE.
+ * ====================================================================
+ *
+ * This software consists of voluntary contributions made by many
+ * individuals on behalf of the Apache Software Foundation.  For more
+ * information on the Apache Software Foundation, please see
+ * <http://www.apache.org/>.
+ */
+
+package org.apache.tools.ant.util;
+
+import org.w3c.dom.Document;
+import org.w3c.dom.DocumentFragment;
+import org.w3c.dom.Element;
+import org.w3c.dom.Node;
+import org.w3c.dom.Text;
+
+import org.apache.tools.ant.BuildException;
+import org.apache.tools.ant.DynamicConfigurator;
+import org.apache.tools.ant.ProjectHelper;
+
+/**
+ * Use this class as a nested element if you want to get a literal DOM
+ * fragment of something nested into your task/type.
+ *
+ * <p>This is useful for tasks that want to deal with the "real" XML
+ * from the build file instead of objects.</p>
+ *
+ * <p>Code heavily influenced by code written by Dominique Devienne.</p>
+ *
+ * @since Ant 1.7
+ */
+public class XMLFragment implements DynamicConfigurator {
+
+    private Document doc;
+    private DocumentFragment fragment;
+
+    public XMLFragment() {
+        doc = JAXPUtils.getDocumentBuilder().newDocument();
+        fragment = doc.createDocumentFragment();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Return the DocumentFragment that corresponds to the nested
+     * structure.
+     */
+    public DocumentFragment getFragment() {
+        return fragment;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Add nested text.
+     */
+    public void addText(String s) {
+        addText(fragment, s);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * No attributes for the wrapping element.
+     */
+    public void setDynamicAttribute(String name, String value)
+        throws BuildException {
+        throw new BuildException("Attribute " + name + " is not supported.");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a nested element.
+     */
+    public Object createDynamicElement(String name) {
+        /* I don't get the namespace prefix here
+        Element e = doc
+            .createElementNS(ProjectHelper.extractUriFromComponentName(name),
+                             ProjectHelper.extractNameFromComponentName(name));
+        */
+        Element e = doc.createElement(name);
+        fragment.appendChild(e);
+        return new Child(e);
+    }
+
+    private void addText(Node n, String s) {
+        if (s != null && !s.trim().equals("")) {
+            Text t = doc.createTextNode(s);
+            n.appendChild(t);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public class Child implements DynamicConfigurator {
+        private Element e;
+
+        Child(Element e) {
+            this.e = e;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Add nested text.
+         */
+        public void addText(String s) {
+            XMLFragment.this.addText(e, s);
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Sets the attribute
+         */
+        public void setDynamicAttribute(String name, String value) {
+            e.setAttribute(name, value);
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Creates a nested element.
+         */
+        public Object createDynamicElement(String name) {
+            /*
+            Element e2 = doc
+                .createElementNS(ProjectHelper
+                                 .extractUriFromComponentName(name),
+                                 ProjectHelper
+                                 .extractNameFromComponentName(name));
+            */
+            Element e2 = doc.createElement(name);
+            e.appendChild(e2);
+            return new Child(e2);
+        }
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/src/testcases/org/apache/tools/ant/util/XMLFragmentTest.java b/src/testcases/org/apache/tools/ant/util/XMLFragmentTest.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..67e952294
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/testcases/org/apache/tools/ant/util/XMLFragmentTest.java
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+/*
+ * The Apache Software License, Version 1.1
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2003 The Apache Software Foundation.  All rights
+ * reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ *
+ * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ * 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
+ *    the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ *    distribution.
+ *
+ * 3. The end-user documentation included with the redistribution, if
+ *    any, must include the following acknowlegement:
+ *       "This product includes software developed by the
+ *        Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/)."
+ *    Alternately, this acknowlegement may appear in the software itself,
+ *    if and wherever such third-party acknowlegements normally appear.
+ *
+ * 4. The names "Ant" and "Apache Software
+ *    Foundation" must not be used to endorse or promote products derived
+ *    from this software without prior written permission. For written
+ *    permission, please contact apache@apache.org.
+ *
+ * 5. Products derived from this software may not be called "Apache"
+ *    nor may "Apache" appear in their names without prior written
+ *    permission of the Apache Group.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED
+ * WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+ * OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+ * DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE APACHE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION OR
+ * ITS CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF
+ * USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
+ * ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
+ * OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
+ * OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
+ * SUCH DAMAGE.
+ * ====================================================================
+ *
+ * This software consists of voluntary contributions made by many
+ * individuals on behalf of the Apache Software Foundation.  For more
+ * information on the Apache Software Foundation, please see
+ * <http://www.apache.org/>.
+ */
+
+package org.apache.tools.ant.util;
+
+import org.apache.tools.ant.BuildFileTest;
+import org.w3c.dom.Element;
+import org.w3c.dom.Node;
+import org.w3c.dom.NodeList;
+
+public class XMLFragmentTest extends BuildFileTest {
+    
+    public XMLFragmentTest(String name) {
+        super(name);
+    }
+
+    public void setUp() {
+        configureProject("src/etc/testcases/types/xmlfragment.xml");
+    }
+
+    public void testNestedText() {
+        XMLFragment x = (XMLFragment) getProject().getReference("nested-text");
+        assertNotNull(x);
+        Node n = x.getFragment();
+        assertTrue("No attributes", !n.hasAttributes());
+        NodeList nl = n.getChildNodes();
+        assertEquals(1, nl.getLength());
+        assertEquals(Node.TEXT_NODE, nl.item(0).getNodeType());
+        assertEquals("foo", nl.item(0).getNodeValue());
+    }
+
+    public void testNestedChildren() {
+        XMLFragment x = 
+            (XMLFragment) getProject().getReference("with-children");
+        assertNotNull(x);
+        Node n = x.getFragment();
+        assertTrue("No attributes", !n.hasAttributes());
+        NodeList nl = n.getChildNodes();
+        assertEquals(3, nl.getLength());
+
+        assertEquals(Node.ELEMENT_NODE, nl.item(0).getNodeType());
+        Element child1 = (Element) nl.item(0);
+        assertEquals("child1", child1.getTagName());
+        assertTrue(!child1.hasAttributes());
+        NodeList nl2 = child1.getChildNodes();
+        assertEquals(1, nl2.getLength());
+        assertEquals(Node.TEXT_NODE, nl2.item(0).getNodeType());
+        assertEquals("foo", nl2.item(0).getNodeValue());
+
+        assertEquals(Node.ELEMENT_NODE, nl.item(1).getNodeType());
+        Element child2 = (Element) nl.item(1);
+        assertEquals("child2", child2.getTagName());
+        assertTrue(child2.hasAttributes());
+        nl2 = child2.getChildNodes();
+        assertEquals(0, nl2.getLength());
+        assertEquals("bar", child2.getAttribute("foo"));
+
+        assertEquals(Node.ELEMENT_NODE, nl.item(2).getNodeType());
+        Element child3 = (Element) nl.item(2);
+        assertEquals("child3", child3.getTagName());
+        assertTrue(!child3.hasAttributes());
+        nl2 = child3.getChildNodes();
+        assertEquals(1, nl2.getLength());
+        assertEquals(Node.ELEMENT_NODE, nl2.item(0).getNodeType());
+        assertEquals("child4", ((Element) nl2.item(0)).getTagName());
+    }
+}