In the face of climate breakdown and biodiversity loss, Fruit Works Leeds Co-operative is on a mission to help us take meaningful action, with a simple and effective solution: fruit trees.
Why Fruit Trees Matter
Nourishing people & wildlife
Fruit trees provide an abundance of free, nutritious food for people and create valuable habitats for wildlife.
Spaces for community, skills and resource sharing
Orchards bring people together – to care for trees, celebrate harvests, share skills, and appreciate the natural world.
Creating resilient local food sources
One of the easiest and most rewarding ways to grow food, fruit trees are a fantastic place to start. Even in a small yard, you can plant a tree and make a difference – for yourself and for future generations.
Fruit Works’ vision for the future is that by 2050, everyone in Leeds & Bradford will have picked fruit straight from a tree and eaten it. They will also know how to care for their trees and how to use the fruit.
Trees in the Ground, Communities in Action
Since beginning in 2020, Fruit Works has planted 450 fruit trees in schools, engaging more than 1,700 children along the way.
They’ve planted another 400 fruit trees with community groups across Leeds & Bradford. This included seven new community orchards in Leeds in 2025, taking the city’s total to 100 – the highest outside London.
Fruit Works has also run ‘tree giveaway’ projects to help people grow fruit in their own gardens in Bradford and Beeston, and sells trees locally from its nursery.
Sharing Skills
It doesn’t stop at planting. Thriving orchards and gardens need people to care for the trees and connect with the space. Fruit Works runs year-round courses in pruning, care and propagation. People leave with the knowledge and confidence to grow and care for trees.
The tree nursery is also a hub for learning and socialising, with monthly volunteer sessions.
Celebrating & Harvest Sharing
The fruit tree calendar isn’t just about pruning and planting – it’s also about gathering to enjoy the harvest. Apple Day in autumn is a highlight. Leeds Urban Harvest helps with this: you can rent apple pressing equipment or donate surplus fruit to be made into juice.
Fruit Works distributes delicious heritage fruit from a traditional orchard through its Harvest Share scheme, with collection points around the city. A similar scheme is run by Braythorne Orchard in North Leeds.
In winter, groups can host a Wassail – a traditional January celebration with songs and rituals to bless and thank the trees.
Restoring Trees to Health
Fruit Works offers the region’s only specialist fruit tree pruning service, restoring old trees to health and productivity.
Working Co-operatively
As a not-for-profit workers’ co-operative, Fruit Works is co-owned and managed by its members.
Ways to Get Involved
- Volunteer at our nursery
- Come to an Apple Day or Wassail
- Join an Orchard Harvest Share scheme
- Take a pruning or tree care course
- Buy and plant a Fruit Works Leeds fruit tree
- Get your workplace involved in volunteering
- Have your fruit trees professionally pruned
- Contact Fruit Works to plan a new Community Orchard.
Fruit Works Leeds reminds us of the power we have to take simple, meaningful action in our communities. Every tree planted, every space enjoyed, every tradition or skill shared is a step towards a more resilient future for Leeds.
