How Far Apart Do You Plant Apple Trees?

Apple trees are a popular addition to many gardens and orchards due to their delightful fruits and attractive appearance. When considering planting apple trees, it's essential to choose the right location and spacing to ensure optimal growth and yield. The question is, how far apart should you plant apple trees?

Determining Spacing for Apple Trees

The spacing for apple trees relies on the rootstock of the tree, soil fertility, and tree height. Trees on more extensive rootstocks require more space while smaller rootstocks need less space. Old, fertile soil may also require more spacing than young, less fertile land. Generally, apple trees are spaced between 12 to 18 feet apart, depending on the rootstock.

The average apple tree height is around 15 to 20 feet, and they adopt a pyramid shape. Therefore, spacing should be considered between the center of each tree and be 18 to 20 feet including the tree's expected mature height to accommodate the width and height of the tree canopy.

Spacing your apple trees too close can result in a shallow root system and competition for light and nutrients, resulting in stunted growth and fruit production. When the distance between trees is too close together, the trees' branches may touch, allowing pests or diseases to spread quickly from tree to tree.

Different Spacing for Pruning Techniques

If you're planning to use a particular pruning method, there are different considerations for spacing your apple trees. The traditional pruning method of central leader, a single stem running through the center of the tree, requires the least amount of space between each tree. It's because the pruning allows the trees to develop a narrow cone-shaped canopy.

However, if you're using a trellis system, the trees require more spacing between each tree to allow for horizontal growth. In this case, you'll need to space the apple trees 20 to 30 feet apart.

Spacing for Pollination

Another consideration when spacing apple trees is pollination. Most apple trees require cross-pollination to produce fruit. Therefore, you'll need to plant at least two different varieties of apple trees within 50 to 100 feet apart to ensure cross-pollination. Ensure the two varieties of apple trees bloom at the same time to improve pollination efficiency and maximize fruit yield.

Concluding Thoughts

When deciding how far apart to plant apple trees, it's essential to consider the rootstock, soil fertility, and pruning method. Trees spaced too close can prevent sufficient growth, and insufficient space could reduce the health of the tree. For optimal fruit production, aim for spacing of 12 to 18 feet between trees for most rootstocks, but space wider for specific pruning techniques or trellis systems. Finally, ensure cross-pollination by planting at least two different varieties of apple trees within the required distance.

By carefully selecting your planting location and spacing your apple trees correctly, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious apples for many years to come!