An orchard is a piece of land where fruit or nut trees are planted and grown on purpose, usually in neat rows. Unlike a forest where trees grow wild, an orchard is carefully planned and tended by people who want to harvest the fruit.

Apple orchards are common in many parts of America, with their orderly lines of apple trees stretching across hillsides. Orange orchards thrive in warm places like Florida and California, while peach orchards flourish in Georgia. There are also cherry orchards, almond orchards, and orchards for pears, plums, and pecans.

Running an orchard takes knowledge and patience. Farmers must prune the trees, protect them from pests and disease, and wait years before young trees produce their first harvest. In spring, orchard trees burst into beautiful blossoms. By late summer or fall, depending on the fruit, the branches hang heavy with ripe fruit ready for picking.

Many orchards welcome visitors during harvest season. Families come to pick their own apples or peaches, enjoying the fresh air and the satisfaction of gathering fruit straight from the trees.