The Average Spacing of Trees

Generalities

• A banyan in Hawaii may spread to cover a full city block, while a controlled apple orchard in California may have trees spaced only 20 feet apart. Before planting any trees, it's wise to know your USDA climate zone for what trees can grow well in your area. Direct planting into the ground (as opposed to potting trees) necessitates knowing mature sizes, which may differ depending on climate and elevation. Make a list of trees you would like to grow in your home landscape, then talk to a reputable grower about specific and proper spacing.

Background Trees

• Evergreen trees such as the tall, pillar-like cypress can be spaced every 12 feet or much further apart. Creating a windbreak of evergreens would require planting them closer together; however, their ideal form may become altered. Large cedars, redwoods, oaks, maples, elms and others that will branch out to at least 60 feet should be spaced that far apart or more. For large properties, such as acreage, you can plant many large trees in groups to frame the land or space them out widely to offer shade breaks. On smaller parcels, choose smaller growing trees.

Focus Trees

• Focus trees are those that offer a special flower or leaf color, or a growth habit that adds beauty to the landscape. Ideally, they should have plenty of space around them. When planting a tulip tree, jacaranda, magnolia, flowering cherry or any exotic tree that deserves to be showcased, you may not want any other trees within 100 or more feet. Some shrubbery or perennial flower beds can work with such trees, but keep other trees at a distance.

Small Trees

• A row of flowering plums lining a driveway can be quite stunning in spring. Spaced about 15 to 25 feet apart, and properly cared for, these trees will mature to provide grand displays. Dwarf versions of many types of trees are available, and these can be planted much closer together. Several Meyer lemon trees can be grouped together within a 60-foot space, for example. Even trees that may take longer to mature, such as a Japanese lacy leaf maple, may need 20 feet of space around it. Clustering many small trees by spacing them about 10 feet apart will create a denser appearance, but you'll need to pay attention to pruning and each tree's growth habit to keep them alive and well.