🌳 Tree Spacing Calculator
Calculate how many trees you can plant per acre or hectare based on spacing.
Updated On: May 22, 2025
Tree Spacing Calculator
Created by James S. Lockwood
With a background in botany and ecological sciences, James specializes in creating practical tools and resources to help gardeners, farmers, and plant enthusiasts optimize their green spaces.
Our free Tree Spacing Calculator helps you determine how many trees you can plant per acre based on row and tree spacing. Whether you’re planting hardwoods, designing an orchard, or need a trees per acre/ hectare calculator for forestry, this tool adjusts for spacing in feet or meters. It’s also perfect as an apple tree spacing calculator—giving you exact planting layouts for your crop type and field size.
Table of Contents
How Do I Calculate Tree Spacing?
Select Your Tree Type – Choose from common tree species such as Apple, Pecan, Citrus, Walnut, Mango, etc.
Enter Row and Tree Spacing – Input the recommended or preferred distance between trees and rows.
Get Instant Calculations – The calculator estimates how many trees can fit per acre or hectare, depending on your land measurement preference.
Before planting, make sure you’re following university-backed techniques. How to plant trees properly (OSU Extension guide)
Recommended Planting Distances Between Different Types Of Trees?
This table provides optimal tree spacing recommendations for various species, including orchard trees, pecan trees and forestry types. Based on agricultural and silvicultural standards, it helps you determine how many trees can be planted per acre or hectare. Once you determine the optimal spacing, you can estimate the potential value of your trees using our Tree Value Calculator.
| Tree Type | Row Spacing (ft) | Tree Spacing (ft) | Row Spacing (m) | Tree Spacing (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | 15 | 15 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Pecan | 30 | 30 | 9 | 9 |
| Citrus | 18 | 18 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Peach | 18 | 18 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Plum | 18 | 18 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Cherry | 15 | 15 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Pear | 16 | 16 | 5 | 5 |
| Walnut | 25 | 25 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Avocado | 20 | 20 | 6 | 6 |
| Mango | 25 | 25 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Coconut | 30 | 30 | 9 | 9 |
| Hazelnut | 12 | 12 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Mixed Orchard | 20 | 20 | 6 | 6 |
Benefits of Proper Tree Spacing
Maximizes Growth – Ensures each tree gets enough sunlight, water, and nutrients.
Reduces Disease Risk – Proper spacing minimizes overcrowding and improves air circulation.
Enhances Productivity – Ideal spacing boosts fruit yield and overall tree health.
Optimizes Land Use – Helps in planning orchards, timber plantations, and urban forestry.
Curious how much it’ll cost to plant trees across your land? Use our Tree Planting Cost Calculator to get a fast estimate based on area and density.
Why Orchard Spacing is Always a Trade-Off?
Ask three orchardists how far apart to plant trees, and you’ll probably get five answers. Some swear by tighter layouts to maximize land use. Others argue for wider spacing to reduce disease transmission and simplify maintenance.
Interestingly, high-density planting has gained traction in apple orchards due to dwarfing rootstocks. These trees grow shorter, allowing more trees per acre. But even then, opinions split. Some say it increases yield per acre, while others point out it demands constant pruning and trellis systems—costs not everyone factors in.
This is where a tree spacing calculator helps: you can test dense vs. traditional layouts before committing land or labor.
How to Calculate Tree Spacing Per Acre?
To determine how many trees you can plant per acre, follow these steps:
Understand the Total Land Area
- One acre = 43,560 square feet
Determine Row and Tree Spacing
- Row spacing: The distance between rows (in feet)
- Tree spacing: The distance between trees in each row (in feet)
Apply the Formula
How to Calculate Tree Spacing Per Hectare?
Understand the Total Land Area
- One hectare = 10,000 square meters
Determine Row and Tree Spacing
- Row spacing: The distance between rows (in meters)
- Tree spacing: The distance between trees in each row (in meters)
Apply the Formula
Proper spacing helps trees grow healthier and larger. Later, you can measure their size using our DBH Calculator to track growth and manage thinning.
FAQs - Tree Spacing Calculator
✅ What is the best tree spacing per acre?
The ideal tree spacing per acre depends on your planting goals. For general forestry or reforestation, spacing trees about 8 to 10 feet apart in rows (with 10 feet between rows) allows for approximately 435 to 545 trees per acre. However, spacing can vary based on species, sunlight needs, and maintenance plans. Use our Tree Spacing Calculator above to determine the exact number based on your layout.
✅ How do I calculate tree density?
Tree density is calculated by dividing the total planting area by the space each tree occupies. For example, if trees are spaced 10 feet apart in both directions, each tree takes up 100 sq ft. In an acre (43,560 sq ft), you could plant about 435 trees. The calculator automates this for you—just enter your desired spacing and area size.
✅ Does tree species affect spacing?
Absolutely. Different tree species have different canopy spreads, root systems, and growth rates. Fast-growing trees like pine or poplar may need more spacing to avoid overcrowding, while slower-growing or ornamental trees might require less. Always consider the mature size of the species you’re planting, and consult local extension resources or our Tree Value Calculator if you’re planting for long-term yield.
✅ What spacing should I use for timber plantations?
For timber, spacing is typically 6×8 ft to 10×10 ft, depending on species and thinning plans. Denser spacing encourages taller, straighter trunks, but you may need to thin the plantation after a few years. Larger spacing allows for less maintenance and wider canopy development.
Final Thoughts: Let the Calculator Be Your Guide
There’s no single “correct” number when it comes to trees per acre. What works for pecan groves in Georgia might be a disaster for mango trees in coastal Florida.
Still, tools like the tree spacing calculator give you clarity before making irreversible decisions. And while advice will vary, data-driven modeling is always the safer bet.
For those managing larger properties, the Tree Carbon Sequestration Calculator is another great tool to estimate environmental impact based on tree type and density.
For a deeper read on tree density planning, check out this USDA resource on orchard establishment.
Disclaimer for Tree Spacing Calculator
The Tree Spacing Calculator provides estimates based on standard spacing guidelines. Actual spacing requirements may vary depending on soil conditions, climate, tree variety, and management practices. Always consult a forestry expert or agricultural specialist for site-specific recommendations.
Discover Tree & Forestry Calculators