Planting Apple Trees

Apple Tree Planting Distances and Population – Number of Apple Trees per Acre

Once the site is prepared, the next step is to plant the apple trees. Timing, planting depth, and spacing all play critical roles in successfully establishing apple trees.

Best Time to Plant - When to Plant Your Apple Trees

Apple trees can be planted in the spring or fall. Spring planting is preferred in colder climates because it allows trees to establish roots before winter brings low temperatures and frost. Fall planting, however, can be successful in regions with milder winters, but growers are advised to apply mulch to protect the young/sensitive roots from freezing temperatures.

How to Plant Apple Trees

The planting hole should be twice as wide and deep as the tree’s root ball or bare roots. This allows the roots to spread easily and prevents them from becoming root-bound. For bare-root trees, you can create a small mound of soil in the center of the hole and spread the roots over it. Apple trees should be planted at the same depth grown in the nursery, with the graft union 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) above the soil surface. Planting too deep can lead to the graft union being buried, which can cause the rootstock to produce unwanted growth. Some commonly preferred planting hole dimensions are 25 inches (63cm) in diameter and 25 inches (63cm) in depth for every young apple tree we intend to plant.

You can backfill the hole with the same removed soil and gently firm it around the roots. Adding fertilizers directly into the planting hole should be avoided, as this can damage the young roots. You are advised to water the tree thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Regular irrigations during the first year are beneficial, ensuring that the tree establishes a strong root system (avoid water stress).

Planting Design and Density

The layout of an apple orchard depends on several factors, including the rootstock, variety, available space, and training system that will be applied. Modern orchard systems use high-density planting to maximize yields in smaller areas.

Row Orientation: When designing the layout of an orchard, you can consider row orientation to maximize sunlight exposure. In most regions, north-south row orientation is preferred, as it allows even sunlight distribution on both sides of the trees.

Usually, the distances between rows and trees in the row usually range from 22 X 16 feet to 6 X 6 feet (7m X 5m to 1,8m X 1,8 m). 22 X 16 feet pattern results in 124 trees per acre, or 310 trees per hectare. The 6 X 6 feet pattern results in 1210 trees per acre, or 3000 trees per hectare, and can be achieved only by dwarf varieties. If apple trees are spaced at an average of 20 X 20 feet (6 m x 6 m), this pattern can give 109 trees per acre or 250 trees per hectare, and the trees need about 20 years to reach maximum production. However, nowadays -by using dwarf rootstocks- we can have about 2000 trees per hectare or 800 per acre, and maximum production can be reached within 6-7 years.

Standard Orchards: Traditionally, apple trees were planted 20-30 feet (6-9 m) apart. These standard orchards allow for large trees that take up more space but produce fruit for many decades.
High-Density Orchards: Modern orchards often use dwarf or semi-dwarf rootstocks, which allow for closer spacing (as little as 4-8 feet (1.2-2.4 m) between trees and 12-16 feet (3.6-4.9 m) between rows). High-density planting can have 500-1,000 trees per acre (1235-2.470 trees per hectare), which maximizes production and simplifies management tasks like pruning and harvesting.

Following proper planting procedures, including timing, spacing, and tree care, growers can lay the foundation for a productive apple orchard that will bear fruit for many years. Whether using traditional or high-density planting designs, the key is providing the trees with the best possible growing conditions.