The issue of orla, of not eating fruit during the first three years of a tree’s life -- and sometimes during the fourth year as well (neta revai) -- was not such an issue in previous years. In the past, many trees would not produce fruit for the first three years anyway. The issues of orla that halachic authorities addressed in those times were regarding those trees which are questionable if halachically they are considered fruit trees or vegetable shrubs. As today there are many modern agricultural techniques, one can buy a sapling from a nursery, which may affect how to count the three years and very often requires the three-year count to start all over again after the replanting.
If one is in Chutz L’Aretz, outside of Eretz Yisrael, and entertains any doubt whether the fruit is orla or not, it is 100% permissible. In Eretz Yisrael, however, things are much more complex, and if one has fruit that is definitely from Eretz Yisrael, they must be careful with the issue of orla and ask a Rav what to do.
Practical Halacha: One minute a day, Rav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, member of the Badatz of Crown Heights; reprinted from CrownHeightsConnect.com
