I'd remove any tree which may shade out the fruit trees too much (if that's a problem) and also consider the invasive root habit/situation of each tree. Leaving an oak in place may divert the squirrels away from your future fruit trees and attract them to their acorns. If you have squirrels with those trees get ready for competition ;-)

You remind me... someone told me last year about an issue of a fungus or something from oak trees that could infect fruit trees? I don't remember the details. So that's a concern.

But the roots of the beech are along the surface of the ground and make it completely unusable.

Beech trees are typically a little smaller, so maybe less overwhelming to the fruit trees.

But an oak tree is strong as... well, oak, and will probably never fall or anything.

I DO have plenty of squirrels (and rabbit, deer, and snakes), but the property is 5 acres and there's a lot of wild woods beyond my property, so there's no shortage of acorns or hickory nuts. I plan to plant chestnut and Pawnee pecan trees so they MIGHT go after those nuts, but I'm not planning to sell them or anything so I don't mind tithing.

Same for the fruit trees, I should have plenty to spare so it's not a big deal. They'll mainly be decorative, fun to grow, and a just-in-case-zombies-come backup plan :-)

Do you think these trees would shade out the fruit trees too much? I was hoping they would get enough dappled sun so they would grow well, but without getting cooked.

Quoting you below...

"The orchard will be just past where these two trees are, on the western side of them."

"Do you think these trees would shade out the fruit trees too much?"

If the fruit trees you plan to plant are located on the west side of these two trees then they will get morning shade from the oak/beech. I'd place the fruit trees as far away from their drip lines as possible to avoid both their shade and invasive roots which will sap the soil of needed moisture and nutrients the fruit trees need.

I hope you have better luck with your pecans than my neighbor. His 2 trees produce plenty of nuts but the squirrels get every one of them. To make matter worse the squirrels will bury most of them as they pockmark surrounding yards with their endless digging.

Hmm. Well, maybe I should take them both out. I had both cosmetic and logical reasons to keep one of them, though:

1. Morning shade for the new trees

2. Noon-ish shade for my house

3. I only have a 10" electric saw, so I'm going to have to pay to have them taken down :-O Average cost here is $1,000 /tree for someone that's insured and bonded, but it might be more for the oak that, if it falls the wrong direction, would take out the house

@vgkg Z-7 Va, unfortunately we've had a HUGE influx of coyotes over the last few years, so I don't see anywhere near as many squirrels (or rabbits, or turkey) as I used to :-(

As I cut trees back, though, I might leave a few oak and hickory trees so they'll have plenty of nuts to choose from.

I really like oak trees but if you cut they are very good for firewood and shitake mushroom logs

Morning shade is the last thing I'd want for an orchard, in part because the sun helps to dry off the dew which promotes fungal diseases but also just because I'd want as much sun as possible for all the species you listed.

During those late spring frosty mornings exposure to early direct sunshine can also help save the blossoms from a "no fruit this year" close call.

Y'all convinced me, I'm just gonna clear cut the whole dang area... it's just money, right? LOL