How to determine the optimal distance between apple trees when planting

Many gardeners, whether they are professionals or amateurs, are interested in the issue of correct and profitable placement of fruit trees on the site. One of the most common species is the apple tree. It can be found most often in our gardens. The article posted below will help to understand the main features in this responsible business.

Apple, however, like any other fruit plant, needs personal space. This need is often forgotten by amateurs or novice gardeners.

With the exception of some varieties, the apple tree is a fairly large tree that, with proper care, can be very large. Do not forget that they need not only sufficient space, but also a certain amount of soil so that the plant can fully feed. Yield and life expectancy directly depend on these characteristics.

When buying a particular variety, the seller must tell you about the requirements that must be observed when planting this variety. If the seller did not give you this information, then you yourself need to ask the appropriate question. Also, this information can be found in the gardener's handbooks or viewed on the Internet.

Minimum distance

Perhaps, the issue of placing fruit trees in the garden is the most important, because their yield and life span depend on the correct choice of the distance between them. Every gardener wants his garden to be as productive and rewarding as possible.

In order to correctly place the apple trees in the garden, it is necessary to draw up and adhere to the planting scheme. This pattern can change depending on the climatic conditions in which it will grow. Also, planting options may vary depending on the shape of the crown. The distance between the trunks directly depends on this parameter. The planting pattern is calculated taking into account the minimum distance between trees. This indicator is determined based on the characteristics of a particular variety, nutritional requirements, level of water supply and soil characteristics.

Failure to observe or neglect the distance is fraught with the following consequences for the tree:

• decrease in yield;
• decrease in the quality of the crop;
• lack of nutrients;
• lack of sunlight for fruits and leaves;
• decreased immunity;
• defeat by fungal diseases;
• stimulation of the reproduction of pests and pathogenic microorganisms.

The size of the distance is also determined taking into account the possibility of pruning the crown and comfortable harvesting of fruits.

What is the minimum distance between apple trees when planting? This depends on factors such as the size of the tree and the maximum dimensions it can achieve as it grows. For example, if you plan to plant low-growing varieties in your garden, on a dwarf rootstock, then the optimal distance for them will be 4 meters between rows, at least. But the distance between ordinary apple trees should be at least 2.5 meters in order for them to be in comfortable conditions.

When planting classic and low-growing species, which were grafted on the basis of wild rootstocks, the minimum distance should be at least 3.5 meters, and the distance between rows should be about 5 meters.

For tall and tall species, the minimum distance requirements will be different. The distance between the rows is about 6 meters, and the minimum distance between the trunks themselves should be at least 4 meters.

In the case when an apple tree in the garden sits alone or in pairs, the distance to other trees or shrubs should be at least 4 meters along the entire perimeter or radius.

Determining the distance between trees

All of the above methods of placement in the garden are traditional and, accordingly, they are suitable for classic and simple varieties.

However, today there are many new fruit varieties that may differ significantly from others. Therefore, in relation to them, new landing techniques are also used. For example, for a columnar apple tree, which in its appearance more resembles a poplar or cypress, a column-shaped cultivation method is used. But even among the columnar, several variants are distinguished: vigorous, dwarf and semi-dwarf.

Vigorous and semi-dwarf columnar apple trees should be planted at a distance of 1.2 meters from each other (the smallest permissible indicator). And for dwarf varieties 60 centimeters will be quite enough.

When planting several seedlings, the minimum distance, as mentioned above, is calculated from the maximum crown volume in adulthood.

Vigorous varieties must be planted at a distance of 3-4 meters from the adjacent trunk. If they are planted in rows, then the distance between them should be about five meters. This placement option is suitable for the following varieties: Autumn striped, Antonovka ordinary, Cinnamon new, Grushovka Moscow.

Weak species are best planted so that other trees are at least 3 meters away. And the gap between the rows should be at least 4 meters. This scheme is suitable for Spartan, Melba, Lobo, Welsey varieties.

Vigorous varieties have the following planting scheme: the distance between the rows should be at least four meters, and between the trunks - up to 2.5 meters.

For medium-sized and vigorous breeds on clonal rootstocks, the distance is increased by one meter.

If the variety is not known or is problematic to determine, then the minimum distance between them during planting must be calculated based on the geometric shape of the crown (i.e., the maximum width of the crown). This value must be doubled - this will be the distance minimum. For example, with a maximum crown width of 4 meters, the minimum demarcation rate will be 8 meters.

Adhering to the planting scheme, you can achieve not only a beautiful garden design, but also increase the fruiting and extend the life of apple trees. Compliance with all of the above rules will help you organize your garden space in the most efficient way.

Useful Tips

In order to most effectively and correctly plant apple trees, you should know some of the nuances:

• the distance between adjacent trees should be optimal for both. They must have enough nutrients, otherwise one may prosper at the expense of the other;
• when planting apple trees next to other plants or trees, their relationship must be taken into account. Otherwise, you risk getting a "conflict" or one plant will absorb nutrients from another. In this case, next to the apple trees there may be spaces in which less hardy plants will die;
• it is necessary to choose the correct landing site. This type of fruit tree must be closed from the blowing of the northerly winds;
• the winter hardiness of the rocks should be taken into account;
• for different species, a different planting scheme should be applied in order to achieve the maximum yield;
• it is necessary to take into account the biological characteristics of certain varieties and fruit breeds, to know whether it is suitable for a given soil;
• the environmental conditions in which the apple tree will grow should be taken into account.

Also, when placing fruit trees on your land plot, it is by no means useless to know the norms that are written down in the legislation.For example, it is necessary to know exactly at what distance plantings can be organized to a neighboring site, so as not to disturb neighbors with falling apples or foliage, and also so that branches do not cause them inconvenience. This way you can preserve good neighborly relations and your own nerves.

The layout of plantings on the site

Knowing the planting patterns of apple trees and the minimum distances between them, you can significantly increase productivity, as well as correctly form plantings of not only trees, but also other garden vegetation.

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