Trees are an essential part of any landscaping project, and the amount of space left between them is an important factor in achieving a successful outcome. The spacing requirements depend on the species of tree, as well as the desired effect. Most landscaping professionals recommend leaving at least 10 feet between small trees and at least 30 to 50 feet between large trees. Medium-sized trees can do well with a distance of 20 feet between them.
The general rule is to space plants according to their expected width at maturity. For example, a tree that is expected to grow 40 feet wide should be planted 40 feet away from the next tree of the same variety. If a 40-foot-wide tree were planted next to one that is expected to reach 60 feet wide, the appropriate space according to this logic would be 50 feet: 20 feet for the radius of the smallest tree plus 30 feet for the radius of the largest tree. The distance from the house should also be taken into account when planting trees. A 50-foot tall tree with a 30-foot extension will cast a shadow equal to the height of the tree between 3 and 4 p.m., while in winter, the shade at that same time of day will be 120 feet long.
To get the most useful shade in the house at a practical distance, place the tree 15 to 20 feet away from the house. Small trees can be planted less than 15 feet away, but large trees should be planted 20 feet or more away from the house. When planting fruit trees, it is even more important to determine the correct spacing between them. The same is true with the planting of large shrubs under medium-sized trees, and even with the planting of small shrubs next to large shrubs and groundcovers around the perennial plants. If there are utility lines or walls that share the same space as your trees, you may find it difficult to successfully achieve your gardening plan. You should contact a gardening professional who can best advise you after looking at your garden and surroundings and considering the type of trees you want to plant. Adequately spacing the plants in your garden is one of the secrets of a garden that is both impressive and functional.
For example, a single 90-foot tree might have one or more 30-foot trees in its understory with shrubs 10 feet below, shrubs 3 feet below, and a 1-foot groundcover. However, if you want your trees to provide you with more usable shade, planting them close to each other is exactly what you need to do. Because most people use plant specimens for their own enjoyment and to satisfy their personal preferences, the placement must also take into account the view from the house. This gives more apparent depth to the terrain than when trees are planted directly on the sides in a continuation of the front baseline of the house. Except for very large properties, a decorative tree should be small, although any tree brings some accent to the landscape. I would never recommend planting trees 8 inches from each other, unless you're looking for a forest look (even then, with a little more space), but some of these trees are planted very close. In conclusion, determining how much space should be left between trees when landscaping requires careful consideration of several factors such as species size and desired effect.
It's important to plan ahead and contact a gardening professional who can best advise you after looking at your garden and surroundings and considering what type of trees you want to plant.
