How Much Space Between Mango, Orange & Avocado Trees?

Mango

• Mango trees, which thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11, are given quite a bit of space when grown in the warmer hardiness zones of 10b and 11, such as Florida. In those zones, plant them as far as 30 feet apart for them to flourish. In the slightly cooler climates of California, they can be placed closer together -- approximately 10 to 18 feet apart. In climates that are at the bottom of the mango hardiness zone, such as Texas, they will grow smaller; space them 12 to 15 feet apart. Both the Indian and Philippines varieties of mango can be grown in hotter zones. As you plant in cooler climates, however, you may prefer using the Philippines variety, since they are more resistant to cool weather. The preferred pH for mango trees is between 5.5 and 7.5.

Orange

• Orange trees, which grow in USDA zones 9 through 11, can ultimately grow very impressive canopy sizes, which can affect your garden just as seriously as the root needs of the tree. Mature trees growing in well-drained soil can have a canopy of as much as 30 feet. This makes for a beautiful tree, but some serious shading where you may not want it. Competition for sunlight can hurt your other plants. According to Peggy A. Mauk of University of California Cooperative Extension, if you plan to grow other trees closer than 30 feet away from your orange tree, plant the trees 12 feet apart along a row and leave 24 feet of space between rows.

Avocado

• Like the other two trees, avocado trees benefit greatly from well-draining soil. Ensure that your soil has free drainage for at least 3 feet of depth. That means that before you can worry about spacing, you need to worry about picking a planting site that is free of clay, hardpan layers or solid rock for a depth of at least 3 feet. To maximize the exposure to sunlight, give your avocado tree 20 feet of room on all sides. Avocados grow in USDA zones 9 through 11.

Control the Spread

• Pruning and pinching can help you control the spread of your tree. The younger a tree is, the more control you have over its growth and the less it will compete with neighboring trees. You can plant trees closer than what is recommended, if you are concerned about space rather than with the lower yields that will result from shading and competition. On each tree, if you notice the branches crowding one another, prune selectively to allow sunlight to get through to all the fruit.