Orchard Tree Spacing Calculator

Work out orchard tree spacing instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Orchard Tree Spacing Calculator

Square planting fits 10,000 / (row x tree spacing) trees per hectare. Triangular or hexagonal layout packs about 15.5% more trees into the same spacing by offsetting alternate rows, and paired hedgerow systems gain further by narrowing within-pair spacing while keeping machinery alleys.

Formula

Tree density

Trees per ha = 10,000 / (row spacing x tree spacing) x layout factor (square 1.0, triangular 1.155, hedgerow 1.25)

Worked example

With the default values below, Orchard Tree Spacing Calculator returns Trees Per Hectare of 278. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Row Spacingminimum 0.1 m: 6 m
Tree Spacing In Rowminimum 0.1 m: 6 m
Orchard Areaminimum 0.01 ha: 2 ha
Planting Layoutone of Square, Triangular / hexagonal, Hedgerow (paired rows): Square

Results

Trees Per Hectare: 278
Total Trees Required: 556
Trees Per Acre: 112
Ground Area Per Tree: 36.00

Step by step

1Values used
2Tree density
3Trees Per Hectare= 278
4Total Trees Required= 556
5Trees Per Acre= 112
6Ground Area Per Tree= 36.00

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is higher density always better?

High density gives earlier yield per hectare but needs dwarfing rootstocks, trellising and disciplined pruning. Planting a vigorous rootstock at high density leads to shading, poor fruit colour and disease within a decade.

Which direction should rows run?

North-south in most latitudes for even light interception on both canopy faces. Across the slope on sloping ground takes priority over light for erosion control.