Tree Planting Distances

These planting distances are approximate.  There are many factors involved which will affect crop load and eventual size of tree. For instance availability of light and moisture during the growing season, variety of the fruit, depth of soil, quality of the soil and nutrition, whether there is grass or weeds around the tree, the site where the tree is planted.  Trees which are poorly pollinated will produce less fruit and therefore the tree will grow more during the season.  The best advice is to give a tree as much space as possible.

Apple Planting Distance

RootstockRootstock
Description
Space Between
Trees
Space Between
Rows
Approx Final
Tree Height
StakingApprox Yield
Per Mature
Tree
Starts
Fruiting
Standard M25Very Vigorous6-9m6-9m4m+For first 3 years90-180kgAfter 5 or 6 years
Half-Standard MM111Vigorous4.5-7.5m5-7.5m3.75m+For first 3 years70-140kgAfter 4 or 5 years
Half-Standard MM106Semi-Vigorous3.5-5.5m1.5-6m3.5m+5 years or longer in exposed locations45-110kgAfter 3 or 4 years
Fan Trained MM106Semi-Vigorous3-4.5m1.8m3.5m+Supported by wires6-11kgAfter 3 or 4 years
Espalier MM106Semi-Vigorous3-4.5m1.8m3.5m+Supported by wires9-13kgAfter 3 or 4 years
Bush M26Semi-Dwarf2.5-3.5m4.5m3m+Permanent staking required18-28kgAfter 2 or 3 years
Bush M9Dwarf2.5-3m3.6m2m+Permanent staking required11-18kgAfter 2 or 3 years
Cordon M9Dwarf0.75m1.8m2m+Supported by wires2-3kgAfter 2 or 3 years
Bush M27Very Dwarf1.5m2.4m1.5m+Permanent staking required5-7kgAfter 2 years
Step-Over M27Very Dwarf1.5m1.8mSupported by wires2-3kgAfter 2 years

Apricot Planting Distance

RootstockRootstock
Description
Space Between
Trees
Space Between
Rows
Approx Final
Tree Height
StakingApprox Yield
Per Mature
Tree
Starts
Fruiting
St Julian ASemi-Vigorous3.6-4.5m3.6-4.5m3.5m+For first 5 years18kgAfter 3 or 4 years
Fan Trained St Julian ASemi-Vigorous3.6-4.5m1.8m3.5m+Supported by wires9kgAfter 3 or 4 years
TorinelSemi-Dwarf2.4-3m2.4-3m3m+For first 5 years11kgAfter 3 or 4 years

Cherry Planting Distance

RootstockRootstock
Description
Space Between
Trees
Space Between
Rows
Approx Final
Tree Height
StakingApprox Yield
Per Mature
Tree
Starts
Fruiting
Standard F.12.1Vigorous9-10m9-10m4m+For first 5 years31-45kgAfter 5 or 7 years
Half-Standard ColtSemi-Vigorous3.6-4.5m3.6-4.5m3.5m+Permanent staking required13-19kgAfter 3 or 4 years
Fan Trained ColtSemi-Vigorous3.6-4.5m1.8m3.5m+Supported by wires9kgAfter 3 or 4 years
Gisela 5Dwarf2.4-3m2.4-3m2m+For at least 5 yearsAfter 3 or 4 years

Peach and Nectarine Planting Distances

RootstockRootstock
Description
Space Between
Trees
Space Between
Rows
Approx Final
Tree Height
StakingApprox Yield
Per Mature
Tree
Starts
Fruiting
Bush St Julien ASemi-Vigorous3-4.5m3-4.5m3.5m+For first 5 years19kgAfter 3 or 4 years
Fan Trained St Julien ASemi-Vigorous3-4.5m1.8m3.5m+Supported by wires9kgAfter 3 or 4 years

Pear Planting Distances

RootstockRootstock
Description
Space Between
Trees
Space Between
Rows
Approx Final
Tree Height
StakingApprox Yield
Per Mature
Tree
Starts
Fruiting
Standard Pyrus Communis/
Pyrus Kirchensaller
Very Vigorous8-10m8-10m4m+For first 3 years45-110kgAfter 8 or 10 years
Standard/Half-Standard PyrodwarfVigorous7-8m7-8m3.75m+For first 3 years34-80kgAfter 4 or 5 years
Half-Standard Quince ASemi-Vigorous4.5-6m4.5-6m3.5m+5 years or longer in exposed areas23-57kgAfter 4 or 5 years
Espalier Quince ASemi-Vigorous3-4.5m1.8m3.5m+Supported by wires6-11kgAfter 4 or 5 years
Bush Quince CDwarf2.4m4.5m2m+Permanent staking required9-19kgAfter 3 or 4 years
Cordon Quince CDwarf0.75m1.8m2m+Supported by wires1.8-3kgAfter 3 or 4 years
Step-Over Quince CDwarf1.5m1.8mSupported by wires2-3kgAfter 3 or 4 years

Plum, Gage, and Damson Planting Distances

RootstockRootstock
Description
Space Between
Trees
Space Between
Rows
Approx Final
Tree Height
StakingApprox Yield
Per Mature
Tree
Starts
Fruiting
Standard BromptonVigorous6-7.5m6-7.5m4m+For first 5 years23-57kgAfter 4 or 5 years
Half-Standard St Julien ASemi-Vigorous4.5-6m4.5-6m3.5m+5 years or longer in exposed areas12-28kgAfter 3 or 4 years
Fan Trained St Julien ASemi-Vigorous3-4.5m1.8m3.5m+Supported by wires5.5-11kgAfter 3 or 4 years
Pixy, VVA-1Semi-Dwarf2.4-4m2.4-4m2m+Permanent staking required9-19kgAfter 3 or 4 years

Hazel Planting Distance

15’ x 7’ 6” and grub every other tree ‘in row’ in the 10th year to make a 15’ x 15’ square plantation.

15’ x 7’ 6” and coppice every other tree after 10 years but do not grub as hazels respond well to rejuvenating in this way as long as they are on their own roots and not grafted.

18’ x 10’ and leave the trees to develop natural shape and size.

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