New fruit orchards bring city to important milestone
7th January 2025
Leeds is set to become the city with the most orchards in the UK outside London, as it plants its 100th fruit orchard.
A social enterprise is working with local community groups and city council to plant an additional seven fruit orchards in Leeds this winter – bringing the total to 100.
The initiative is part of the council’s ambition, started in 2020, to plant 5.8million trees.
An additional 1,250ha of woodland will be created over 25 years, meaning the amount of woodland in Leeds will double over this time.
Fruit orchards planted within communities work to make spaces greener, but also as a way for the community to grow their own fruit.
Fruit Works helps communities in Leeds plant and maintain fruit trees.
It is helping volunteers from local community groups to plant 15 trees for each new orchard in January and February.
The new orchards will be planted at St Peter’s in Bramley, Wortley Recreation Ground, Great Preston, Armley Hill Top Moor, Crossgates, Reginald Park in Chapeltown and at Leeds Industrial Museum.
Important role in community
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said:
“These orchards will play an important role in their communities, providing fruit and enjoyable green space.
“Fruit Works are doing a great job in supporting the local volunteers in planting and teaching them how to care for the trees.
“We’re proud to soon officially be the city with the most orchards in the UK outside of London.”
READ MORE: BAPL issues inflation warning and talks about what to expect in 2025
Gini Morandi, from Fruit Works Co-operative, added: “We work with volunteers all over the city to plant, maintain and use community orchards.
“It’s fantastic that we’ve almost reached the 100 milestone and will keep working towards the goal of everyone being 20 minutes from a community food growing.”
Simon Rickles, from Armley Common Right Trust, concluded: “Planting this orchard is a great way to get the community involved in our common land, and it’s good to be part of a movement growing free fruit for all in our city.”
Planting dates:
- St Peter’s, Bramley (12th January)
- Wortley Rec (25th January)
- Great Preston (31st Jan & 1st Feb)
- Armley Hill Top Moor (2nd February)
- Penda’s Field, Crossgates (9th February)
- Reginald Park, Chapeltown (15th February)
- Leeds Industrial Museum (20th February).
Read more fruit news.
