De Bongerd Fruit Tree Association is a community initiative located in the Langerak 1 district of Leidsche Rijn, Utrecht, established in 2000. Its primary goal is to maintain the neighborhood’s fruit trees and foster community connections. The association manages five orchards spread across areas such as Westraklaan, Slingeraklaan, Molenrakhof, Zijlsterraklaan, Gouderaklaan, Zandweg, Skageraklaan, and Langerakbaan.
Residents can participate in various activities throughout the year, including spring and summer pruning sessions, and an annual harvest festival in the autumn. During the harvest festival, members can self-pick a bounty of apples, pears, and cherries from the un-sprayed trees in the local orchards. Any remaining fruit is often pressed into juice, which is also available for purchase, typically a mixed juice of apples and pears. Beyond fruit-picking, the association organizes social events like a green decoration evening where participants create Christmas arrangements, and jubilee celebrations featuring activities such as insect hotel building and a fruit cake baking competition.
Membership is available to Langerak residents for an annual fee of €7.50 per household, supporting the association’s efforts in tree maintenance and community engagement. The initiative is also backed by subsidies from the Municipality of Utrecht.