Veolia Orchard
Veolia’s nationwide orchard now stands at over 1,995 apple and pear trees and 3,620 strawberry plants, with each of the participating 716 schools and 55 community organisations joining an environmental network which encourages sustainable practices and outdoor learning.
The scheme accepts applications from community settings, including schools, universities, colleges, prisons, care homes and community centres.
Applications are open from 21 September to 20 November for either five apple or pear trees or ten strawberry plants, so that even the most urban areas can benefit from access to nature.
Through this national campaign we want to give local communities a chance to feel the benefits of working with nature and getting their hands dirty. Recipients can use the programme to nurture new skills and take positive action in their communities.
As the trees and plants mature, they will provide a source of healthy food, whilst also helping to improve local air quality and support biodiversity.
This programme aims to provide small orchards which consist of 5 young fruit trees.
Each tree is 1.2 - 1.5 metres tall and needs to have around 5 metres distance between them to allow them to mature. For an orchard of 5 trees, an area of approximately 25 square metres is needed. The site needs to have good drainage and you must have permission from the landowner to plant the trees.
If your organisation does not have space for 5 trees, you can apply for strawberry plants instead if you have a green space or existing planters to plant them in.
Each application will be assessed on a case by case basis. Depending on the level of interest received, organisations that are more disadvantaged or located in urban areas with less access to good quality green space may be prioritised.
We work with our Local Authority partners to deliver free fruit trees and plants to schools, local community organisations such as colleges, care homes and places of worship, in the following areas:
- Birmingham
- Brent
- Broadland
- Bromley
- Buckinghamshire
- Camden
- City of London
- Chesterfield
- Croydon
- Dover
- East and North Hertfordshire
- Folkestone & Hythe
- Greenwich
- Hammersmith & Fulham
- Hampshire
- Haringey
- Harlow
- Kingston
- Medway
- Merton
- Solihull
- South Downs
- Southwark
- St Albans
- Stafford
- Sutton
- Tendring
- Watford
- West Berkshire
- West Northamptonshire
- Westminster
- Wyre
Please note that if your organisation is successful in receiving free fruit trees or plants, you agree in advance to be included in any promotional material we develop. Veolia Orchard will promote case studies in any Veolia related publications and publicity material, including but not limited to annual reports, internal newsletters, press releases, leaflets, brochures, advertisements or websites with any reasonable retouching or alteration.
If your organisation has been approved for an orchard you will be contacted to arrange the delivery of the trees or strawberries. Deliveries will be carried out over Spring 2027 and will be accompanied by a step-by-step guide on how you can plant the trees and maintain them as the orchard grows.
Please note that if your organisation is selected you will need to plant the trees yourself using your own equipment; an equipment list will be provided in advance of the deliveries.
At a time when much of life and play is inside and static, this experience has provided an opportunity for the children to get their hands dirty and make a positive impact on their environment.