Distance between apple trees and other trees when planting

Proper apple tree planting is one of the key factors for a healthy orchard and increased yield. Tree placement is determined before planting young trees, taking into account a number of factors.

General principles of planting trees in a garden plot

Garden planning is carried out taking into account a number of factors:

• climatic features of the region;
• soil condition;
• characteristics of planted varieties: the size of their crown and root system;
• groundwater level.

When choosing a planting site, it's important to consider the rootstock the tree will grow on, as well as the distance to a neighboring fence (at least 3 m) and to nearby buildings (at least 5 m). The site should be sunny and free of drafts. The optimal water table is at least 2 m below the surface; otherwise, the root system of the crops will rot.

Garden planning can be of two types:

1. Regular – trees are planted in even rows, maintaining the same distance between them.
2. Landscape - this type involves arranging apple trees not in a strict order, but in small groups,

It's recommended to plant low-growing varieties on the east and south sides, followed by taller varieties. This placement will prevent the low-growing apple trees from being shaded.

Distance between different types of fruit crops

To maximize the use of every square meter of space, gardeners prefer mixed plantings, which involve alternating trees and shrubs. Too close a distance between apple trees will lead to a number of problems, while too wide a distance will prevent efficient use of the garden space. The optimal distances from apple trees to other crops are as follows:

1. The height of a low-growing pear tree is 5 m, and the height of a high-growing pear tree is 9 m.
2. To bush cherries – 3.5 m, to large tree-like – 6 m, to medium-sized – 2.5 m.
3. Between plum and small-sized apple trees (columnar and dwarf) – 3.5 m. As for regular apple varieties, 4.5 m will be enough.
4. Between a low-growing cherry tree and an apple tree – 4 m, if both trees are tall – 6.5 m.
5. From currant to columnar and dwarf apple trees – 1.5 m, to tall varieties – 3 m.
6. The distance between vigorous apple trees and apricots is 6.5 m, and between low-growing ones – 5 m.
7. From raspberry to tall apple tree – 2.5 m, to short – 4 m.

The apple tree is a fairly unpretentious fruit crop that easily coexists with other garden plants, provided the recommended planting distance is observed.

Distance from buildings and fences

When planting seedlings, gardeners often maintain the minimum distance between crops, but fail to consider the required distance from fences and other structures. Regardless of the future size of mature apple trees, young trees should be planted at least 3 meters from fences and 5 meters from other structures.

These requirements stem from the shadows created by objects, which negatively impact the growth and development of trees and significantly reduce their yield. Furthermore, the root system, as it develops, damages the house's foundation.

Distance between apple trees when planting

The distance between planted fruit trees should prevent them from interfering with each other in all directions as they mature.

Dwarf apple trees

These varieties grow no more than 3 m in height and width. For dwarf and spur varieties, 2.5 m between rows is sufficient, and 1.5 m between trees.

When growing large numbers of dwarf varieties with specialized support systems, a super-intensive planting method is used. Identical or similar tree types are planted at two years of age, leaving approximately 80 cm between trunks and at least 4 m between rows. This technique facilitates the creation of agrofibre cover during winter preparation, which is essential for dwarf varieties.

When planting traditional dwarf apple trees grafted onto seedlings and growing in southern regions, the minimum distance between rows will be 5 m, and within them – 2 m.

Medium-sized apple trees

When planting an orchard of medium-sized varieties, it's important to consider that each specimen will average 6 m in height and up to 5 m in width (unless properly pruned). For this reason, the height of these apple trees is reduced to 5 m by pruning. Provided the trees are pruned, the recommended distance between rows is 5 m, and between the trees themselves, approximately 450 cm. Medium-sized apple trees grafted onto seed rootstocks and cropped in a "cup" shape, planted in a checkerboard pattern. In this case, the distance both within the rows and between them is 6 m. This solution has a positive effect on health trees and makes garden maintenance much easier.

Medium-sized seedlings planted in a small area require timely and proper pruning during cultivation; otherwise, their excessive density will turn the garden into an impenetrable forest.

Tall apple trees

Some gardeners believe the optimal spacing between tall varieties should range from 9 to 13 meters. However, this is not the case: unpruned apple trees 8–11 meters tall should be planted 9–12.5 meters apart. Pruned tall apple trees no more than 5 meters tall are best planted staggered at 7-meter intervals. Tall seed apple trees are characterized by extreme hardiness, making them suitable for growing in regions with harsh winters, with temperatures down to -28°C. However, in this case, it is important to plant them more densely.

In gardens of non-chernozem territories, tall crops are planted according to the following scheme:

• between ranks – 5.5 m;
• between trees – 4.4 m.

In mechanized gardens, the row spacing is increased to 6–7 m.

Columnar apple trees

Mature columnar varieties reach approximately 2 m in height. The recommended spacing between trees is 0.8 to 1.5 m, and between rows, 2.5 to 3 m. If gardening is mechanized, the spacing can be increased to 4 m when planting seedlings. Some gardeners adhere to a pattern of leaving 0.75 m between apple trees and 1 m between rows; in this case, the planting partially acts as a hedge.

The distance between a young and an old apple tree

In some cases, a gardener must plant a young tree next to an old apple tree. To determine the necessary distance between the two trees, factors such as:

• variety;
• fruiting period;
• branching type.

It's advisable to plant specimens with similar fruiting periods and growth rates. A new tree should not be planted directly on top of an old one, nor within 2 meters of it. In northern areas, the following spacing should be maintained between rows:

• from 5 to 7 m – for tall apple trees;
• from 4 to 5 m – for medium varieties;
• about 3 m – for dwarf trees.

The maximum number of apple trees per hectare

The planting density per hectare of land depends on a number of factors:

• soil fertility;
• timeliness of care for seedlings;
• the size of the root system and crown of the cuttings.

On average, such an area can accommodate up to 400 seedlings of medium-sized and tall varieties and up to 800 trunks of columnar and dwarf apple trees.

With an industrial approach to farming and a dense planting system, several thousand dwarf seedlings can be planted per hectare. Private gardeners are advised against planting at such a density, as proper care is impossible without the use of agricultural machinery.

When planning your future garden, it's important to carefully design its layout, taking into account the specific site's characteristics and the desired size of the trees to be planted. Proper placement and adherence to recommended spacing will ensure the trees' full growth and development, which will positively impact the harvest.