Join Our Family Tree
Veolia’s nationwide orchard now stands at over 1,500 apple and pear trees and 1,900 strawberry plants, with each of the 500 schools signed up joining an environmental network which encourages sustainable practices and outdoor learning.
This year, the scheme will cover new ground and accept applications from a wider range of settings, including universities, colleges, prisons, care homes and community centres.
The expansion of Veolia Orchard is a testament to its ongoing popularity. Previously, the scheme extended to include applications for strawberry plants as well as trees, a step that ensured urban schools with limited outdoor green space could also participate.
From Monday 8 September to Friday 7 November, schools and other educational or social facilities can apply for either five apple or pear trees or ten strawberry plants. Successful candidates will hear back from Monday 1 December with the delivery of plants taking place in spring 2026. Applicants can also opt for an interactive session with Veolia’s experts, who will guide participants through planting whilst educating them on the long-term benefits to the community and environment.
Why orchards?
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.
What are the site requirements for an orchard?
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.
Who can apply?
We are working with our Local Authority partners to deliver free fruit trees and plants to schools local community organisations such as churches, colleges and care homes. Those schools in the following areas can apply:
- Birmingham
- Brent
- Broadland
- Bromley
- Buckinghamshire
- Camden
- Chesterfield
- Croydon
- Dover
- Folkestone & Hythe
- Greenwich
- Hammersmith & Fulham
- Hampshire
- Haringey
- Harlow
- Hertfordshire
- Kingston
- Medway
- Merseyside & Halton
- Merton
- Northampton
- Solihull
- South Downs
- Southwark
- St Albans
- Stafford
- Sutton
- Tendring
- Watford
- West Berkshire
- 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.
When are applications open?
How will the fruit be planted?
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 2025 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.