You have to show good pictures of a complete so that we can understand the site. Place the camera at a single location where you can see everything that needs to be seen. Take a series of slightly overlapping shots from that same position that pan across the scene. Don't more the camera to different locations as the scene will not conjoin.

You will probably want to remove the gravel and replace with wood/plant-based mulch. However, in most cases, fruit is not going to be good picked up off the ground. Instead, pick it from the tree when it is ripe.

If you do go with artificial turf......and it makes excellent sense in drought conscious CA....then make sure you are going with a high quality product that will be professionally installed. So that would eliminate some place like HD for example :-) Really, the differences in quality and appearance between just OK and really superior AT are remarkable and very noticeable. Yes, cost will be a factor but it is all upfront costs and once there and installed, it is not something you need to worry about for another 25 years. And do consider the professional installation option. Site prep is critical as is the proper laying and attaching of the AT. Not something I would consider a successful DIY project if you have never done so before.

This stuff was through HD, but installed by the company, not HD. It was recomended by a landscaper who re-did our raised bed for us. There is high quality weed cloth under the gravel

Fruit drop with birds or animals around is...let's just call it unlikely. My cousins have an orchard and the battle over the cherries is something to behold. It involves webbing around the trees and a great deal of swearing. :-)

Similarly, dropped peaches are generally not going to last long, and won't be very edible due to bruising if they do. And...well, inspect for insect damage and insects before consuming is all I'm going to say regarding untreated fruit trees.

For under the trees, artificial turf would be great! Or a very soft, fluffy mulch (don't choose recycled rubber, it's not good for the trees), or pretty much anything except stone...

I am no expert on fruit trees, but the idea of artificial turf under them sounds potentially disastrous to me. My concern is it would overheat surface roots and thereby damage the tree. Even the installation may have risks because of the prep that goes under the final layer. Those with experience may be able to disabuse me of that impression, if I am mistaken.

Some trees, such as citrus, don't like anything growing under them. When I was a kid, we had annuals and a few perennials growing under our peach, apricot, and plum trees, and some flagstone laid in a spreading, irregular shape. The plants were free to grow between the stones. California poppies, Gaillardia, Limonium perezii -- seasonal flowers that would reseed every year. It seems there was also some creeping thyme. Weeds would sprout too, but with a layer of mulch over the bare earth spots, they were easy to hand pull.

I agree, for best results, pick the fruit before it falls to the ground and before the birds get it. Blackbirds loved the peaches. Good memories of fresh fruit and pies!

Well, of course we pick before it falls to the ground, but occasionally we will be out for the weekend or something and miss some!

We are usually able to save at least half of the fallen fruit to freeze.

We were lucky this year that, for some reason, the birds didn't find the cherries! Last year they were on the tree, and the next day they were GONE!

Kiminpl, the under side of the trees are in full shade from spring til fall, and winter sun is very weak.

Well, having a tree guy come in this week to trim some trees in the front, so will have them trim and treat the fruit trees and give their opinion. NT

A simple application of decorative coloured wood chips and tree bark mulch would provide the solution to your problem . It will provide weed growth deterent add nutrients to the soil and root structure along with a pleasant landscape design without preventing proper drainage . Annual inspection and top up will ensure yrs of service @ a very economical labour friendly cost !

Skip any colored mulch!! It provides a very artificial-looking, almost glarish appearance. If you decide to mulch, just use a natural colored bark or wood chip mulch

Decorative colour within wood chips is a owner preference , numerous natural colours are available to match the surrounding decor requirements . Same with the tree bark mulch application . The wood chips will tamp well and the tree bark mulch will provide the cushioning that Nancy requires along with nutrients that the soil and root structure require during decomposition . Only the texture and composition and life cycle of these products vary . Otherwise a simple application of loam would suffice . Appearance is a secondary consideration to the prevention of fruit damage and is in the eye & mind of the beholder , as are opinions !

Well, this is a small yard after living on more than an acre, so usability and appearance both are considerations! Would love to use the shade in the summer, and sun in the winter.

We do have a guy who mows our front yard each week. We'll be re-doing our front yard to drought tolerant, so maybe grass for the back might work. But then we're just transferring the water from the front to the back!

More thinking to do!

Be careful that the installer doesn't damage the root system of your existing trees and leave a wide circle around the trees without artificial turf

We're still going between artificial turf and wood chips, but will keep that in mind.