Oof I've got the exact same debate going on. I used to have an orchard with about 5 trees of each kind. I hardly ever use the fruits. I shrunk it to two trees per fruit and kept it as a more aesthetic area by scattering the trees instead of lining them up as I did before. It looks kinda cute this way and it doesn't take up too much space now! I just wanted to hold on to those trees for autumn because picking apples in autumn is such a nostalgic memory for me
I made my orchard purely for aesthetic reasons. My biggest issue I kept running into was I hated how hard it was to navigate between and around the trees. It just felt so cluttered. Then I randomly found this picture on google when I was looking for inspiration for something else. I modeled my orchard after this person's and it is sooooo much nicer for me now. I can see the fruit on the ground if I randomly want to collect some, I can see the bugs on the tree trunks, I can see the villagers walking between them, etc. It just worked out so well for me, so maybe you'll like this too!
I actually created a cherry orchard, which became one of my favorite parts on my current island. While I don't need cherries everyday, it's still a nice looking area for me. I may create another one with the other fruits, just have to think about a good spot.
I just like the way the look. I made a smaller one this time though. I have like three of each fruit tree in the garden. And I have two of each lined up by the villagers houses just because it fit and it looks nice. Other then that I stick with the other trees as they do more during events/holidays. I am now plan on putting more bamboo around my island and putting the cocnut trees on the island instead of just the beach too, to make it look more like an island. I didn't do that before. But I had to restart my island so it is completely different now and a work in progress.
I'm going to have one, I just think it looks nice even if I end up not using it to make bells. Plus if it's anything like NL, it's a good gift for villagers.
For looks I think they look cool/pretty but as far as bell makers I think it's a waste of time as you can very easily make bells other ways. I used to sell fruit to make money too early on but now I don't need to.
Early game I think it’s worth it but once you make enough bells, it just takes up too much space. I’ve downsized mine to just 4 per fruit and simply for decorative purposes.
biggest reasons why i keep my fruit orchard are because i gift my villagers with fruits (in pursuit of photos) and i find myself rearranging trees each time i terraform or work on my island in general so i go through a lot of fruits.
I move villager houses and other buildings around a lot, so for me it's definitely always worth it to have an extra source of income like an orchard. Plus, I love the way orchards look, they're great to create a little farm/garden area around!
I'm definitely planning on having one! I tore mine down to make room for breeding flowers, but once I'm done with that, it's definitely going back up. It's not usually "worth it" in terms of money making, but I like it for aesthetics, gift giving, and to have all fruits available for any recipe I need them for and for eating! In that sense, I think it's very worth it
i have a decent sized one right now because i don't really like playing turnip stonks, but once i've payed off the player houses (i play with multiple profiles for more storage lol) i honestly can't imagine keeping more than a couple of each tree around as more of an aesthetic/gifting thing.
I have one because I like the aesthetic of it. Mine is blocked off from anyone being able to enter it and even I don't enter it for the fruit because I have no reason to use it. Besides coconuts, I don't have fruit trees anywhere except Apple's lawn. Kinda felt obligated to decorate with Apple trees.
