grove

Palm grove at Orihuela, Spain. A grove is a small group of trees with minimal or no undergrowth, or a small orchard planted for the cultivation of fruits or nuts. Naturally occurring groves are typically small, perhaps a few acres at most, such as a sequoia grove. In contrast, orchards, which are normally intentional planting of trees, may be small or very large, like the apple orchards in Washington state, orange groves in Florida and olive groves in Australia.

A grove may be called an arbour or arbor, which is not to be confused with the garden structure pergola, which also sometimes goes under that name. Other words for groups of trees include woodland, woodlot, thicket, and stand. Groves often contain plant and animal species that have become extinct in adjacent areas, and they harbor great genetic diversity. Therefore, they have become biodiversity hotspots, as various species seek refuge in the areas due to progressive habitat destruction.