What are the environmental effects of planting fruit trees ?

[Truitinator]

I'm looking for all the positive and negative effect of starting a fruit orchard on land that was therefore in natural state... Like pesticides, erosion, etc.

[hiddenmyname]

Depends on what was there in the first place. Loss of wildlife and their habitat could be a negative. A positive could be flowers for bees.

[random_man]

Any human activity has an environmental impact. As the other poster noted, it depends on what was there before, as well as what the alternative use of the property would be. In other words, if it were not used as an orchard, what would be there instead? Housing, a shopping mall? etc. One issue I have with measuring environmental impact is that it's often assumed the alternative is undisturbed nature, whereas in the real world the alternative is often another, higher-impact human activity.

If you were to be converting virgin forest into an orchard, you would have a loss of wildlife habitat certainly. An orchard does provide some habitat as well, however, i.e. birds, bees, etc. Overall the impact of orchards is relatively low, compared to other uses. Because the fields are not disturbed very much after the trees are planted, erosion should be minimal. Water use can be an issue, but orchards lend themselves very well to drip irrigation, which is an efficient way to irrigate. Pesticide use does disrupt ecosystems to a certain extent, but it's hard to quantify, and would vary from one orchard to the next, as well as from year to year, depending on what's used and how often. Positive impacts of an orchard: food! as well as; jobs, economic activity, and the preservation of a working agricultural landscape.

[Tamara]

Trees have many economic, environmental and social benefits. They improve our lives and the places we live. Here are some reasons to plant and care for trees:

Environmental Benefits
Through photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. The average tree can clean up to 330 pounds of carbon dioxide annually while emitting enough oxygen for a whole family.
Trees reduce the need for heating and cooling, thus decreasing the need for more power plants in the future.
During a storm, the canopy and root systems of trees act as a both a sponge and a filter, cleaning the water as it seeps into the water table and reducing storm water runoff.
Forested areas are far less prone to flooding and soil erosion.
Trees provide a habitat and refuge for urban wildlife, as well as wildlife that may have otherwise been displaced by development.
All of the above benefits are important factors in reversing the effects of major environmental crises such as global warming, species loss, and drought.

[Ryan]

The many benefits of growing fruit trees include their yield of fresh, locally grown food. As another advantage, fruit trees grow well in urban and suburban settings. From a social aspect, fruit trees help people become connected to the growing process while also providing a nutritious food source and food security. Planting fruit trees also has many helpful environmental benefits, from cleaner air to reduced energy costs and green jobs.

Reduced Shipping
Locally grown produce helps the environment in more ways than one. Unless specified as “locally grown,” fruit purchased at the grocery store might be shipped hundreds, if not thousands, of miles before reaching your store, losing both freshness and nutritional value in the process. In the United States alone, the food industry accounts for 10 percent of the fossil fuels burned through shipping, not to mention the resources needed for packing, transporting and storing fruit. A home or community fruit tree helps the environment by eliminating these factors. Fruit needs only to travel a short distance, from your backyard to your table, or from your community garden to your local farmer’s market. The result is less use of fossil fuels and packing material, and fresher, more nutritious fruit.

Reduced CO2 Emissions
The burning of fossil fuels is largely believed to be the cause of global warming. Carbon dioxide is one of the greatest offending fossil fuels. Fortunately, trees help offset the effects of CO2 pollution. Trees, including fruit trees, actually need CO2 to survive. Trees act as a cleaner, or filter for the air, absorbing CO2 and expelling fresh oxygen into the atmosphere. You can do your part for the environment by planting a fruit tree or two in your garden landscape. You will enjoy the benefit of fresh fruit, and also help to reduce greenhouse gases. According to TreePeople.org, one acre of mature fruit trees will absorb as much CO2 as would be produced by driving 26,000 miles.

Reduced Energy Costs
Fruit trees in the home garden help you to save energy and reduce the cost of utilities, such as electric and water. Although mild Mediterranean climates seldom experience the heat of summer that some climate zones experience, a fruit tree providing shade for your home can reduce the need for cooling on the occasional hot day. When partial shade-loving plants are incorporated near your fruit tree, they lose less water through evaporation on sunny days, reducing the need for supplemental watering. Lawns shaded by fruit trees are also healthier and more vibrant, because they do not lose moisture or become scorched by the sun.

Storm Water Management
In urban settings with few trees, storm water management is often a problem. Although storm water seems harmless, without proper absorption runoff water gathers and carries pollutants that travel to streams, rivers and, ultimately, the ocean. This runoff also leads to erosion on hillsides and slopes. Fruit trees help to eliminate some storm water management problems and erosion by absorbing some of the runoff and using it for hydration after a rainstorm. If your yard is particularly soggy, the addition of a tree may help alleviate some of your drainage problems.

Green Jobs
In a community setting, a garden or orchard with fruit trees provides opportunities for residents to learn about sustainable development and growing your own food. In some communities, orchards open the door for green jobs and other small business opportunities. This not only helps the community in an economic sense, it also helps the environment by promoting sustainable living. Growing your own fruit helps you become more connected to the growing process and where your food is coming from.