A Fruit tree grove, or an orchard, is best described to be an intentional “farm where fruits and nuts are grown on trees and shrubs.” Orchards are typically nurtured for food production and include traditional fruits and nuts such as apples, oranges, pears, almonds, and walnuts.¹ Through the planting of trees, orchards can aid to mitigate climate change while simultaneously creating resilient sustainable communities. For instance, in an orchard, one tree alone can provide a long-term production of food for years with low labor efforts in comparison to large-scale pest-controlled production. By providing a long-term supply of healthy foods, orchards can become sustainable solutions to address “food deserts” in urban areas. Not only will orchards secure healthy foods for local community members, but is an accessible sustainable form of having food while reducing the carbon footprint it takes to travel to access quality foods.²

Besides food production, orchards also serve as a source of clean oxygen. The occupancy of trees in congested and urban areas can simultaneously reduce air pollution to improve air quality for local environments. Additionally, trees help to mitigate the radiating sun rays by providing shade to serving as a natural cooling system.³ For this, orchards are nature’s form of aiding to create healthier environments while also reducing our carbon footprint on Earth. However, they may also serve as an anchor to community connection. Fruitful trees throughout the seasons can serve as a talking point for the exchange and circulation of knowledge within the community. They offer a space for building relationships, growth, and learning strategies through collaborative efforts. Overall, orchards are a sustainable solution working with nature to provide a long-term production of healthy foods, better air quality, and a green space for community connections.

BY NATALIE GODINEZ