[I enjoyed Jeff’s Valentine story so much that I thought I’d stick to the theme of togetherness…for better or worse.]
A week or so ago a reader asked about the practice of planting three or four fruit trees in the same hole. Having not heard of this before, I checked on the web and found many “how to” pages geared to home gardeners who either want a longer harvest of a particular fruit (early to late) or a mixture of different species. Doesn’t it sound just great, especially for smaller urban yards?
One of these sites has these written instructions: “Plant each grouping of 3 or 4 trees in one hole at least 12 to 15 inches apart.”
Now, I’m sorry, but this is just asking for trouble down the road. Readers of this blog know that root systems extend far past the drip line, and that roots from different trees are going to compete with one another. You’ll end up with three unhappy trees, all jostling for space and resources, just like kids in the back seat during those long car rides.
But wait! you might say. There’s research on high density tree planting, and it’s been shown to increase fruit yield on a per acre basis!
Yes, in fact there is a lot of planting density research on many different species of fruit trees. What’s considered by researchers to be “high density” varies, but it rarely exceeds 2698 trees/acre (6666/ha for our international readers). Optimal and sustainable levels of high density planting are also variable, as they depend on not only species but rootstock and the crown architecture; 1214/acre (3000/ha) might be a mid-range number. This can be converted to a per-tree requirement of 36 sq. ft. or a 6’x6’ planting area.
How does this compare to the 12-15” recommendation given earlier? If we’re generous and use the 15” recommendation, this translates to 6.25 sq. ft. per tree or 6970 trees/acre. The 12” recommendation would lead to a whopping equivalent of 10,890 trees/acre. (And no, it doesn’t matter if you’re using dwarfing rootstock or not; most of the higher densities in the literature are for dwarfing rootstocks.)
You don’t have to be a math whiz to see that these densities are totally out of line with reality. Sure, you can probably keep overcrowded trees alive with lots of water and fertilizer, but they’ll be under enough chronic stress so that pests and disease might take hold, and fruit production will likely be poor. And it’s about as far from a sustainable practice as you can get.
Related
FAQs
Sure, you can probably keep overcrowded trees alive with lots of water and fertilizer, but they'll be under enough chronic stress so that pests and disease might take hold, and fruit production will likely be poor. And it's about as far from a sustainable practice as you can get.
Why planting too many trees is bad? ›
Researchers have discovered that, in a number of cases, too many trees in one area means that less sunlight is reflected back from the earth's surface and, in turn, more heat is absorbed by the planet.
What happens if you plant two trees too close together? ›
However, if you plant trees too closely together, a number of issues may arise. For example, sunlight will not be able to filter down to the lower leaves, moisture won't be able to make it to the soil and your trees won't be able to get the nutrition that is needed.
Which is the most common mistake made in tree planting? ›
The most common mistakes are improper tree and planting site selection, improper planting (especially planting too deeply), improper watering and mulching, and failure to monitor the landscape to identify and correct potential health problems with the new tree.
How much space do you need between trees when planting? ›
Typically, you should plant smaller trees, like magnolias or dogwoods, at least ten feet from other trees and structures. Medium-sized trees, like fruit trees, need at least 20 feet of space. Meanwhile, large trees, like sugar maples and ginkgo, need 30 to 50 feet of space.
Can you plant two different trees together? ›
The first rule is to plant similar rootstocks and similar care requirements together. For example, plant trees on Citation together, apples on M-111 together, cherries on Colt together. Plant together peaches and nectarines, plums and Pluots, and even peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots.
What is overplanting? ›
: to plant too densely or excessively. took care not to overplant the daffodils. an overplanted garden.
What happens if you plant too close together? ›
Putting plants too close together in a garden can stress them out, which limits their growth, beauty, and overall health.
Can I plant two avocado trees in the same hole? ›
The mound is buried in mulch with ample water supplied almost daily on top, with frequent applications of a lower phosphorus fertilizer. It is also common to find two or more trees in a hole – one type A and the other type B to boost overall fruit production.
What not to do when planting a tree? ›
Don'ts
- Don't plant large trees in small areas. All young trees are small, but some varieties grow larger than others. ...
- Don't choose a tree just because it grows fast. ...
- Don't over-fertilize. ...
- Don't trample the soil after tree planting. ...
- Don't water improperly.
Call 811 before you dig
Representatives will then mark the location of their underground lines so you can avoid them and dig safely. Whether you are planting a tree or a garden, or digging holes for fence posts, call 811 at least two business days before you plan to start your project.
What are the cons of planting more trees? ›
Trees and parks do have their disadvantages. Trees can be difficult and costly to maintain, especially after storms. Hurricane and tornado damage of trees can block roads needed for emergency access. They often are the cause of electrical outages – branches and trees taking down power lines.
Can you plant another tree in the same spot? ›
The site of a removed tree is not ideal for planting a new tree. While planting a new tree in the exact same spot as a tree that was removed is possible, it is not advised. If any of the old tree's roots are still in the ground, the newly planted young tree may not have enough room to grow.
Can two trees share the same root? ›
Inosculation is a natural phenomenon in which trunks, branches or roots of two trees grow together in a manner biologically similar to the artificial process of grafting.
Can you put two plants in one hole? ›
For plant varieties to grow in a cluster, plant 5-6 seeds in one hole to keep 3-4 plants to be grown together. For plants, I know I will be separating; square pots are a good choice. Planting 1-2 to keep one in each corner makes for easy separation.
Do trees grow better together? ›
Trees grow best together
What makes it grow tall and strong is competing for light as they grow to hold their leaves above other plants and shade them out. Together they also weather storms easier and protect each other.
