When planting more than one fruit tree, separation is an important consideration for garden design and fruiting potential of the tree. The type of fruit, the rootstock on which the tree grows and the amount of available space in your garden will all affect the decision of how far apart to plant your trees.
Apple and Pear Trees
Apple and pear trees are popular fruit trees for the backyard garden. They are usually grown on rootstocks as grafted trees rather than from seeds. These rootstocks affect the minimum spacing between trees more than the variety of apple or pear that grows on it. Dwarf or semi-dwarfing rootstocks are best for the backyard unless only one tree is to be planted. Full size trees can require up to 18 feet of spacing between trees, but semi-dwarfing apple rootstocks like the M.7 and MM.106 can be planted 10 to 12 feet apart. Full-dwarf rootstock like the M.9 apple rootstock can be planted from 4 to 8 feet of other trees. The higher estimate is for fertile soil that will allow more growth. The lower estimate will allow a healthy tree with good fruit, but it may not grow to its potential in height. In general, pear trees need a little more space than apples and should be spaced at the upper estimate.
Stone Fruit Trees
Stone fruit, like peaches and plums, do not have as wide a variety of rootstock available and so the standard planting width of 18 to 20 feet for full size trees is appropriate. However, with pruning that trains the tree to a vertical leader and short fruiting branches, they can be planted 8 to 9 feet apart. Cherry rootstocks are becoming more common, but full size Mazzard rootstock is still the most common for home growers. Search for the newer dwarf rootstocks to see if they are available, but if not, plant sour cherries 18 feet apart and sweet cherries up to 25 feet apart.
Citrus trees can grow to their full potential when planted 10 to 15 feet apart. They are available on dwarfing rootstocks, but the varieties are more limited than what is found with apples and cherries. The spacing recommendations generally follow a rule of thumb that places trees a distance apart that is half of the expected mature height of the tree.
Any of these fruit trees can be trained to an espalier or a hedgerow. Full-dwarf or super-dwarf rootstocks are best suited to espaliers and hedges, and much less distance is required between trees. Trees on dwarfing rootstock can be planted with only 2-foot spacing between trees. Trees planted with super-dwarf rootstock can be planted with only 1 foot of space between the trees. This method requires a great deal of pruning to keep the tree at the desired shape and size.
Mixing Tree Types
When planting different types of trees together, the spacing between trees should follow the requirements for the larger tree. Spacing recommendations are given so that each tree will receive sufficient light and nutrients from the soil. If a smaller tree is planted too close to a larger tree, it can be overshadowed and not receive sufficient light from the sun. Placement with regards to which part of your garden receives the most light, and from which direction, can allow closer spacing if the smaller tree is not put in the shade.
Many varieties of fruit tree require a different variety of the same fruit tree nearby for pollination. Very few apples, pears or sweet cherries are self-fruitful. Even varieties of fruit that are self-fruitful will have a better crop if they are cross-pollinated with something else nearby. The pollination partner for a fruit tree should be within 100 feet of the tree. The blooming period for the trees must overlap for pollination to be successful, but the trees do not need to start and stop blooming at the exact same time. Before deciding whether pollinators are necessary when you plant your fruit tree, check within 100 feet to see if suitable pollinators are already present.
- NC State University Cooperative Extension Service: Apple Rootstocks and Tree Spacing
- University of California Fruit Report: Designing the Orchard
- University of Florida Cooperatie Extension Service: Citrus Tree Spacing
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruit in the Home Garden
- NC State University Cooperative Extension Service: Espalier
- The Best Apples to Buy and Grow; Beth Hanson, editor
- Colorado State University Extension: Pollination of Tree Fruits
- University of California, The California Backyard Orchard: Pollination
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