Wireless sensor network nodes have limited energy, how to employ limited energy efficiently to realize effective data transmission has become a hot topic. Considering the characteristics of orchard planting in rows and shade caused by sparse random features, to improve energy efficiency of the orchard wireless sensor network and prolong network lifetime, we propose an improved chain-based clustering hierarchical routing (ICCHR) algorithm based on LEACH algorithm. The ICCHR algorithm investigates the formation of clusters, cluster head election, chain formation as well as the data transmission process, and further simulated with E-LEACH, PEGASIS-E, LEACH-1R PEGASIS and P-LEACH algorithms through MATLAB. The simulation results show that for BS at (50, 175), from the point of view of all sensor nodes death metric, the network lifetime for ICCHR algorithm prolongs about 3.29, 8.78, 35.53, and 43.11% compared with E-LEACH, PEGASIS-E, LEACH-1R PEGASIS and P-LEACH algorithms. The average energy consumption per round of the ICCHR algorithm is lower than E-LEACH, PEGASIS-E, LEACH-1R PEGASIS and P-LEACH algorithms about 4.73, 9.04, 35.60, and 43.31%. This research can provide theoretical references for the orchard complex environment wireless networking.