I am going to be planting trees in a row, which I’ve never done before, and wanted to verify something with you guys about spacing. Say, I want to plant the trees eight feet apart, does this mean that each tree has four feet on each side of its trunk? So essentially I would be measuring to make sure each planting hole was 4 feet away from each other? Or does 8 feet spacing literally mean 8 feet between each trunk, so the tree actually has a total of 16 feet of space total to grow into?
I should add, I’m planning to keep these trees pruned as a rule at five feet wide, with the exception of the avocadoes which I’m going to allow a bit more space.
It’s 8 foot, from trunk to trunk. Your trees are filling space on all sides, 360 degrees. For trees next to each other in a planting row, both will be filling the space in between. So each tree gets half of that space, 4 foot on each side.
If you want the trunks to be 8 feet apart them make a hole 8’ apart from each other.
The 8’ spacing with give the one tree 4’ to grow towards the next tree on each side of it. So 4’ from one tree and then 4’ from the other tree would make the spacing 8’ apart.
Like putting two 8 ’ circles next to each other.
Fifteen feet apart will allow for easy pruning and maintenance. 12 feet apart will increase pruning requirements. 10 feet apart will dramatically increase pruning requirements – you will need to develop pruning expertise. 8 feet apart is difficult for pruning experts.
I agree with you Richard. I think a 15’ spacing is better. I have all of mine spaced at 15’ apart. There are only two of mine that the branches are close enough that I need to prune them back. Otherwise the rest have enough space between them I can get easily my riding tractor between them when I mow.
You can’t really decide what the minimum spacing for a tree should be without knowing what kind of tree (on which rootstock) is being planted. Trees on dwarfing root stocks will obviously need less space.
Im glad somebody named at least one of the many variables that need to be considered before laying out the planting density.
Rootstock
Tree variety
Irrigation, or not
Soil
Sun exposure
Management input, do you favor hi or low
Mechanical or hand spraying
There is more im sure but these would be a good start.
I think 8 feet is plenty for a small cherry tree row or zone 4 peaches, but way to tight for standard apples. Its had to drive a backhoe through 8ft spaced trees.
I found eight feet challenging but not impossible to manage. I have done it for 12 years now. I still space at eight feet. Rootstock never played much of a role for me. It doesn’t seem to matter much. I can say pruning works well. Fruit sets are amazing on my trees. I will always grow trees this way. Rootstocks differences just means pruning rate differences. I just did it when needed.
The OP is in Socal so has good control of water. That is an area where close spacing is easier than on good soil in the humid east. Eight feet should be doable with some effort. I’ve planted stonefruit as close as 1.5ft x 5ft on K1 very dwarfing rootstock in my greenhouse. That planting was soon thinned to 3x5ft. The farthest apart I’ve planted stonefruit in there is 4x8ft. That planting did very well for about 8 years with frequent summer pruning and limited water. I’m now planted 3x7ft on normal rootstocks and have produced two crops with a planting less than three years old. It does take a lot of pruning.
In the humid east 15 ft is reasonable. In the dry west 8ft is a lot more doable.
I’ve got newly planted apples on seedling outdoors. If I want even decent growth they require a good soaking twice a week. Location, location, location.
A good indicator of needed planting distance would be to look at mature fruit trees in your area. Either yours or others nearby. Inquire about watering and pruning. That will tell you a lot about needed planting distance.
Yes, tree shape is important. Central leader, spindle, open center, or modified central leader all should be considered when choosing spacing.
If I was pruning trees to 5ft and I had plenty of room for planting I would go with 10 ft or 12 ft between trunks to leave room for moving between rows. If space was limited 8ft would be workable but less convenient…
Dwarfing rootstocks will slow down a tree but in the long run will only moderately reduce the size. Serious fruit tree pruning skills will be required at 8’ spacing. However, true genetic dwarfs (of which there are few) are amenable to closer spacing.
I space at eight feet because I’m out of room.
Since I learned to graft though. I’m cutting out some trees as I like having 4-6 cultivars on each tree. So I may give them more room now.
I’m sure having a great year. All my trees are loaded.