Tree owners

• How do I sign up my fruit tree to Les Fruit Défendus?

  To register your tree for harvest, fill out this form.
  
  Please note that registering your tree does not guarantee that it will be harvested in a given season. We are a volunteer collective and do our best to harvest as many trees as possible, but the number of harvests ultimately depends on our members’ availability during the season.
  
  Please do not register your tree more than once in the system. Once your tree is registered, its profile remains in our database for future seasons. A member of our team will confirm your registration, and you will be contacted at the beginning of each summer to confirm whether you would like to participate for the upcoming season. For any questions or changes, you can contact us at info@lesfruitsdefendus.org to modify your trees' profile in our database.
• Do you accept all trees, from anywhere in the city?

  We harvest fruit and nut-bearing trees (as well as fruit bushes and vines) anywhere on the island of Montreal. Once your tree is registered, it remains in our database and we will contact you at the beginning of each season to confirm your participation.
  
  We are gradually building the mobilization of our members neighbourhood by neighbourhood. As a result, some areas currently have more active volunteers than others. While we do our best to respond to all harvesting offers, our ability to organize a harvest ultimately depends on the availability of members in each area.
  
  If you register a tree in a neighbourhood where we currently have fewer active members and it is not harvested right away, please know that we are continually working to expand our activities and mobilize residents so that we can support harvests in your area in the near future.
• How does it work to have my tree harvested by the collective ?

  Once you have registered your tree to indicate that you are willing to share its harvest, or confirmed your participation for a given season, we activate its harvesting status in our database for the current season. At that point, members of the collective who organize harvests (pick leaders) can browse the database and select trees to adopt from those available.
  
  If a member decides to organize the harvest of your tree, they will contact you to coordinate the logistics. The pick leader will then organize a team of volunteers and ensure the harvest, the sorting of the fruit and its distribution into three equal shares at the end of the harvest. If you do not wish to keep the share reserved for the tree owner, you may choose to donate it to the beneficiary organization.
  
  All of our pick leaders receive training where they learn the process and best practices to follow when organizing and carrying out a harvest.
• I signed up my tree and the fruit is ready to be picked, but no one has contacted me?

  As a volunteer-based organization, our ability to harvest fruit depends entirely on the availability of our volunteer pick leaders. Unfortunately, this means that we are not always able to harvest every tree in our registry each year.
  
  If your fruit is ready and you have not yet been contacted, feel free to email us at info@lesfruitsdefendus.org. We will do our best to encourage a pick leader to adopt your tree and organize a harvest if a volunteer is available.
• As the tree owner, what are my responsabilities during the harvest ?

  Once you have coordinated the harvest logistics with the pick leader, you can decide the level of involvement you would like to have.
  
  In some cases, the tree owner simply allows volunteers access to the tree—sometimes through an alley—and may not even be home on the day of the harvest. In other cases, the owner chooses to participate and harvest alongside the volunteers.
  
  If you have a step ladder or harvesting tools that you are willing to share with the volunteers, it is always appreciated, though it is not usually necessary if the pick leader has access to the collective’s tools. If you feel comfortable allowing volunteers to enter your house to use your washroom, access drinking water, or wash their hands, this is also often appreciated.
  
  If you have any specific requests or guidelines for the volunteers who will be in your yard, you can discuss them directly with the pick leader organizing the harvest at your property.
• Why is there still fruit on my tree after the harvest ?

  Our goal is not to remove every fruit from a tree, but to harvest as much as possible safely from secure positions. If your tree is very tall or if most of the fruit is located in the highest branches, it may not be possible for our volunteer team to reach it. We do use ladders and fruit-picking poles to access higher branches, but we do not have bucket trucks or climbing equipment, and we do not encourage our members to take risks that could compromise their safety.
  
  If you are unsure whether the fruit on your tree is accessible, you can send us photos at info@lesfruitsdefendus.org, and we will be happy to assess the situation.
  
  Please also keep in mind that many types of fruit trees do not ripen all their fruit at the same time, but rather in successive waves. Our harvesters are trained to pick fruit at the right stage of ripeness, so they may leave unripe fruit on the tree to allow it to mature. In some cases, a second team may return later in order to harvest the next batch of fruit when it is ready.
  
  Although we take care to pick up fallen fruit from the ground before the harvest begins, please keep in mind that we are not a tree-cleaning service. The fruit that remains in the tree can be thought of as a gift to the birds and other urban wildlife that share the city with us.
• What if a volunteer gets injured during a pick? Am I responsible?

  The safety of our members is our top priority. This is why training for pick leaders is mandatory before they are allowed to organize harvests within the collective. During this training, we explain the safety procedures that must be followed. Pick leaders are then responsible for ensuring these protocols are respected during the harvest and for communicating safety guidelines to the volunteers.
  
  Despite the preventive measures we put in place, unforeseen situations can occur. In the case of an injury or accident, our organization maintains a volunteer insurance policy, which means that volunteers may be covered under the association’s insurance.
  
  In addition, before participating in a harvest, all volunteers are required to sign a liability waiver stating that each participant takes part in the activity at their own risk.
  
  As a result, tree owners are not held responsible if an incident occurs on their property during a harvest organized by the collective.
• Do you offer tree care?

  We are currently developing an official advisory service for the maintenance of fruit trees. At the moment, our capacity to carry out all requested work is very limited.
  
  If you have concerns about the health of your tree (pruning, fungal problems, or pest infestations), you can still contact us at info@lesfruitsdefendus.org so that we can provide quick advice or refer you to a qualified arborist who can help. Please note that if your tree’s branches are entangled with power lines, you will need to contact Hydro-Québec, Arbo Plus, or another professional tree service equipped to handle this type of situation.
  
  We also offer several trainings and workshops on fruit tree care each year, and we strongly encourage you to participate in order to become more autonomous in managing your fruit trees!

Volunteer harvesters

• How do I participate in a harvest ?

  Head over to our Harvest Calendar to check out upcoming picks and sign up for one that interests you.
  
  Please note: signing up does not automatically reserve your spot. Harvest spots are limited and fill quickly. Once you sign up, the Pick leader for that harvest will send you a confirmation email with all the details about the event. You will need to coordinate with your pick leader to participate in their harvest.
  
  The calendar is updated automatically (daily) as our members organize new harvests. We recommend checking it frequently throughout the season to stay informed about newly available events.
• What should I expect the harvest experience to be like as an occasional volunteer ?

  Each harvest event is unique because every site we visit is different: trees vary, harvesting techniques depend on the type and number of trees, and the participants in each group make every harvest distinct. That said, a few general steps are consistent across all events:
  
  Once your pick leader confirms your participation, meet them at the designated location and time on the day of the harvest. When all volunteers have arrived, the pick leader will review safety rules and explain how the harvest will proceed. You will be asked to sign a volunteer waiver before beginning—this is mandatory.
  
  The first step is always collecting fruit that has already fallen on the ground before the harvest begins. This fruit is either composted if it’s spoiled, or you and the other volunteers can take it if it is still in good condition. Previously fallen fruit must be kept separate from freshly harvested fruit because only fresh fruit can be distributed to our partner organizations.
  
  Next, the group begins harvesting the fruit from the trees. Once the reachable fruit has been picked, it is gathered, weighed, and sorted. Fruits that are slightly damaged or overly ripe may be separated, and it’s important to distinguish between fresh fruits and those that may need to be transformed or consumed quickly.
  
  The harvest is then divided into thirds: one for the tree owner, one for a beneficiary organization, and one for the volunteers. If the tree owner does not want their share, two-thirds can go to the beneficiary organization, or the fruit can be split equally between the volunteers and the organization. Volunteers are not allowed to pick only the best fruits for themselves; all fruits are pooled, with the highest quality fruit prioritized for our partner organizations.
  
  In some cases, the total harvest may be small (for example, a small berry bush may yield less than a kilo of fruit). In such cases, volunteers may keep their portion while giving the remaining fruit to the tree owner, as it would spoil too quickly to be donated.
  
  For any other questions about the harvest, please contact us at info@lesfruitsdefendus.org.
• Do I need any training to participate ?

  No training is required to participate in a harvest as an occasional volunteer. The harvest Pick leader will simply provide you with a few basic guidelines to follow on site.
  
  However, if you wish to join the collective as a Harvest Organizer (Pick leader), you will need to complete our training before being able to lead harvests.
• What are the eligibility criteria to participate as a volunteer?

  We strive to make our activities as open as possible so that everyone can participate. We are currently working on a general Code of Conduct to ensure that all participants enjoy a safe and mutually respectful harvest experience. In the meantime, we follow our partner organization’s Safe Space Policy, Anti-Harassment Policy, and Anti-Racism Policy . Please take the time to read through these policies if you plan on participating as you will be required to adhere to the principles described within them.
  
  Harvest events may be physically demanding, as they often involve climbing ladders, handling fruit crates, and working outdoors in variable weather conditions. We do our best to accommodate different accessibility needs. If you have physical constraints that may limit your participation, please mention them when you sign up for the harvest, and we will do our best to adapt so you can participate safely and comfortably within the limits you are comfortable with.
  
  Volunteer pickers of all ages are welcome. For children aged 15 and under, a responsible adult must be present to ensure that the basic guidelines provided by the Pick Leader are followed.
• Do I need to bring anything to the pick?

  The Pick Leader responsible for your harvest will contact you beforehand to let you know if anything specific is needed. As a general rule, please bring water, wear closed-toe shoes, and dress in comfortable clothing that can get dirty. Sunscreen and a snack are also good ideas. Don’t forget to bring bags or containers so you can take home your share of the harvest.
  
  In some cases, the Pick Leader may ask volunteers for additional help. For example, if the quantities harvested are too large for one person to deliver alone, volunteers with a car or a bike trailer may be asked to help transport the fruit to the beneficiary organization. In any case, the Pick Leader will contact you directly if there is anything specific you should prepare.
• How long does a harvest usually take?

  The length of a harvest depends on the specific conditions of the site. As of 2026, our network includes nearly 500 registered properties, and each location has its own characteristics.
  
  For trees bearing small and delicate fruits—such as serviceberries or cherries—the fruit must be picked by hand one by one, so the efficiency of the harvest depends largely on the number of volunteers participating and the pace at which they can pick. For trees with fruits that can be gently shaken from the branches, such as mulberries or certain varieties of apples and plums, the harvest can be faster.
  
  In all cases, the time required depends on several factors: the number of trees on the site, the accessibility of the branches, the type of fruit and harvesting technique required, and the number of volunteers present. Because of this variability, harvests can differ quite a bit, but most harvest events typically last between one and four hours.
• Why are there no open harvests when I check the calendar ?

  There are limited spots available for each harvest, and they tend to fill up quickly. As a citizen collective, our capacity depends on the number of active members (Pick Leaders) organizing harvests during the season. In general, there is more demand from people who would like to participate occasionally than there are Pick Leaders organizing harvests in their neighbourhoods. We are currently working on improving our processes so we can better respond to the growing interest and make it easier for more volunteers to participate in harvests.
  
  If you are interested in joining the collective by becoming a pick leader, email us at info@lesfruitsdefendus.org to learn more.

General questions

• How can I support the work of Les Fruits Défendus?

  You can support our work by making a donation online through Zeffy.
  
  As of 2026, we are in the process of obtaining charitable status. In the meantime, our partner organization Santropol Roulant acts as our fiduciary so that donors to Les Fruits Défendus can receive a tax receipt.
  100% of your donation made through this link goes directly to the collective Les Fruits Défendus.
• What types of fruit and nut trees grow in Montreal ?

  On the island of Montreal, there are hundreds—if not thousands—of fruit and nut trees growing in private yards and public spaces. Common species include serviceberry (saskatoon berry), mulberry trees, cherry trees (sweet and sour), plum trees, pear trees, apple trees, and grape vines.
  
  Less common but still present and hardy in Montreal’s climate are quince trees, fig trees, pawpaw trees, hickory trees, hazelnuts, black walnut, butternut, chestnut trees, hackberry, mountain ash, and hardy kiwi vines.
  
  There are also many fruit-bearing shrubs, such as haskap (honeyberry), currants, gooseberries, blackcurrants, raspberries, aronia berries, and many more.
• What is a pick-leader?

  Pick Leaders make harvests happen! They are members of the collective who organize and lead harvests in their neighbourhoods. After completing the collective’s training, they coordinate the harvest with the tree owner, recruit a team of volunteers, explain safety guidelines, and oversee the harvest on site.
  
  Pick Leaders also transport the necessary equipment, ensure the fruit is sorted and shared between the volunteers, the tree owner, and the beneficiary organization, and record the harvest in our system.
  
  If you enjoy meeting people, mobilizing your community, and spending time outdoors around fruit trees, becoming a Pick Leader is a great way to get involved in the collective. To learn more, email us at info@lesfruitsdefendus.org !
• How do I become a pick-leader?

  To join our amazing community of pick-leaders, you must first attend a 3-hour training session, which are typically offered in April, May and June. Sign up to our newsletter and follow our social media to stay informed of the next opportunities !
• How does the Les Fruits Défendus collective work?

  Les Fruits Défendus is a citizen-led, volunteer-based collective (incorporated as a non-profit in Quebec) that relies on the mobilization of people within their neighbourhoods. Our approach is to build a network of neighbourhood-based harvesting networks across Montreal.
  
  In practice, the collective connects fruit tree owners, local residents who volunteer, and community organizations in the area. These organizations often serve as anchor points for the distribution of harvested fruit and, in some cases, for storing or sharing harvesting equipment.
  
  At the heart of this model are the Pick Leaders: trained volunteer members who organize and lead harvests in their neighbourhoods. They coordinate with tree owners, recruit volunteer teams, and oversee the harvests, helping the project take root locally and adapt to the realities of each community.
  
  This decentralized approach helps build community connections, share fresh fruit with local organizations, and highlight the value of the fruit trees growing throughout the city.
• Can we organize a harvest with our community group or company?

  We receive many requests to organize harvests for groups. While we would love to accommodate everyone, our current capacity is limited and we are not always able to accept all requests.
  
  We prioritize supporting community groups, but our human resources to provide facilitation and coordination are limited. If you are interested in organizing a harvest with your community organization or community group, feel free to contact us and we will do our best to explore the possibilities with you.
  
  Corporate volunteer groups are a lower priority for us, but we may still be able to organize an outing depending on our availability. In these cases, a fee or minimum donation is required to help cover the costs associated with organizing and hosting the activity, and to acknowledge the benefits the company receives from the experience.
  
  If your organization or company would like to explore this possibility, please contact us at info@lesfruitsdefendus.org to learn more.