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Fruit trees are especially important. Anyone who plants a fruit tree to increase food availability becomes a partner with God in creating and sustaining the world. As we read, “The Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east” (Genesis 2:8). Furthermore, the mitzva to settle the Land of Israel includes planting fruit trees, as we read, “When you enter the land, plant trees for food” (Leviticus 19:23). Even nowadays, farmers who plant orchards in Israel are fulfilling this mitzva. People in Israel who open factories that produce food, and the people who work there, are also partners in this mitzva.
One may not uproot or chop down a fruit tree. Even soldiers besieging an enemy city may not destroy the city’s fruit trees unless it is necessary. Thus we read (Deuteronomy 20:19), “When in your war against a city you have to besiege it a long time in order to capture it, you must not destroy its trees, wielding the ax against them. You may eat of them, but you must not cut them down. Are trees of the field human, that you should besiege them?” However, when there is a real need, one may uproot a fruit tree. For example, if a person wants to expand one's home where a tree is located, or if a tree is attracting mosquitos and flies that invade one's home or irritate his neighbors, the tree may be cut down. If a farmer’s fruit trees are not profitable, one may uproot them to plant something more profitable.
