An orchard is a planted area of trees or shrubs maintained for food production, typically consisting of fruit or nut trees grown for commercial purposes. They can also serve aesthetic roles in large gardens and may include berry shrubs on a smaller scale. Most temperate-zone orchards are arranged in a regular grid, with grass or bare soil to facilitate maintenance and harvesting.
Many commercial orchards focus on a single fruit variety, but introducing genetic diversity by interspersing different tree species can enhance resilience to pests and diseases. Orchards are often located near bodies of water, where the climate is moderated, helping to delay blossoms until the frost danger has passed.
