German towns roll out free fruit‑tree planting schemes for 2026

The Environmental Office of the city of Pforzheim is providing low‑cost, bare‑root fruit trees and shrubs for owners of traditional orchard meadows in 2026. Applications are accepted until 1 October, with pickup on 17 October. The offering is split into north and south lists reflecting the region’s limestone or sandstone soils and follows local neighbour‑law distance rules.

In the market town of Heroldsberg, the Bavarian Rural Development Agency under the 2026 Streuobst package will make 55 fruit trees available free of charge to private persons, clubs, firms and farmers. Interested parties must apply by 11 September, may receive up to two trees per household, and must allocate about 80–100 m² per tree and commit to a minimum 12‑year maintenance period. Both initiatives aim to preserve and enhance Streuobst habitats, avoid competition with commercial nurseries, and support regional biodiversity.

These programmes are part of broader German efforts to protect and beautify historic orchard landscapes while providing residents with locally grown fruit.