Spacing Trees in an Orchard - Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits - University of Maine Cooperative Extension (2024)

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Spacing Trees in an Orchard - Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits - University of Maine Cooperative Extension? ›

Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits

Most standard-sized fruit trees need approximately 20 feet by 20 feet of space to grow properly, though standard-sized apple and sweet cherry trees need around 35 by 35 feet of space. Citrus trees only require about 8 feet to grow properly.

Trees grown in north-south oriented rows have better light conditions than those grown in east-west rows. Decreasing the distance between rows and increasing tree height also increases light interception. With most tree forms, optimum tree height is half the row spacing plus 3 feet.

The trees will be spaced just under seven-feet apart. This will allow them room as they grow, but still be close enough for a proper espalier. For an espalier, they can grow between four and eight feet apart.

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.

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.

Fruit tree spacing depends entirely on the grower's needs and objectives. Four- to ten-foot spacings are all common in backyard plantings.

Fruit Tree Combinations To Avoid

You'll want to avoid planting; apples or apricots with walnuts and blackberries; nectarines, pears, peaches, or plums with raspberries; and finally, blueberries, cherries, grapes, and melons do not grow well near tomatoes or eggplants.

Plant at least two compatible-pollen varieties within 100 feet of one another. Pollination will still occur if trees are planted closer together, and may even occur between trees planted farther apart than this, but, for ideal pollination, up to 100 foot distance between trees is good to aim for.

Apple and pear trees are the traditional espalier subject because their spurs live for years producing fruit (although certain cultivars are better than others) and they have supple, easily trained new growth, but other fruit trees that sometimes are espaliered include fig (Ficus carica), peaches, cherries and ...

How to calculate tree spacing? ›

Common Tree Spacing

To do this manually, multiply the distance between the trees by the number of tree rows to determine the square feet of space for each tree in the provided area. For example, trees spaced 10 feet apart multiplied by rows spaced 15 feet apart which gives 150 ft² as the square feet for each tree.

Trees are often spaced apart according to their mature canopy spread. Tree spacings of 50 to 60 feet are common place. This allows the open grown form of the tree to develop (lower photo).

We recommend 2m spacings for most purposes. At 1.5m spacings your woodland will be denser and your trees will grow straighter and more quickly than at wider spacings. You will need to thin or coppice some trees at between 5 and 15 years to make space and let in light.

There's no absolute minimum for how many fruit trees constitute an orchard, but five is the generally accepted lower limit. Five fruit trees may seem like a lot to pack into a small space, but with a little creativity it can work.

Trees need room to stretch out their branches as they grow toward full maturity. Proper spacing can also keep fungal diseases to a minimum. Standard-sized peach trees can be spaced 15 to 20 feet apart, while dwarf varieties should be planted 10 to 12 feet apart.

Plant at least two compatible-pollen varieties within 100 feet of one another. Pollination will still occur if trees are planted closer together, and may even occur between trees planted farther apart than this, but, for ideal pollination, up to 100 foot distance between trees is good to aim for.

Rootstocks have little effect on the bearing age of other fruit trees. The average bearing age of fruit trees is as follows; apple - 4 to 5 years, sour or tart cherry - 3 to 5 years, pear - 4 to 6 years, and plum - 3 to 5 years.