We love to see the fruit on the trees when we are in Mallorca, it obviously grows so well because of the climate. But we never see anyone taking the fruit from the trees. I am not referring to private property, but the trees you see on the streets. It seems such a shame if it goes to waste, but we are always afraid to take it just in case there's a by-law forbidding it. So what's the score? Will we be carted off to 'El Clinko' by taking it?

They are bitter (Seville)oranges. No good for eating but great for making English Marmalade.

Here in Seville the local councils send trucks out every January to collect the oranges. They are then turned into marmalade.
As Fred says they are not very good for eating.

I once stumbled across an impromptu orange fight in one of the parks in Córdoba. Like a snowball fight but with oranges.

I had one of those trees beside my balcony there which gave oranges in December. Not great for eating but fine in mulled wine.

Just be careful as some councils spray them do that they won't be taken!

I suspect the reason nobody takes them is that almost everybody has at least one orange and/or mandarin/tangerine tree, and at least one lemon tree.

We do, and the fruit is delicious, but we have so much if it, and we can't even give it away - all the neighbours have same problem.

Lucky old you.
I suggest you do what most of us do around here and take them down your local Farmers co op, where they will be put to good use.

When you have a glut of oranges, freeze them, frozen they make fantastic missiles for hurling at cats

Ha! If britishexpats had a like button! I'm not sure Karma is appropriate here.....

Well, as problems go, it's not a bad one to have! We love to make fresh lemon drinks, with lemonade, crushed ice and maybe a drop of some vodka...Hmmm, takes so many lemons though, it's certainly not cost effective in the UK.

Oh, and fresh lemon drizzled over a hot crispy barbecued mackerel or sole.... Oh, you've got me going now. Can you tell we're on diets ready for our next holiday.... Can't stop thinking about food and drink!

You don't mean that.