Many an inexperienced gardener likes to plant the small, dainty apple tree too close to other trees - and then in a few years will have space problems when the tree has grown into an impressive tree. So that you don't have to laboriously move the wood later, it is advisable to keep a species- and variety-dependent planting distance.
Fruit trees should have plenty of space
Do not plant fruit trees too densely
The important planting distance is particularly important so that the trees and shrubs can develop healthily and bear rich fruit. Trees that are planted too close together are prone to various diseases, primarily fungicidal diseases. These arise because the tree is not sufficiently ventilated. A planting distance is usually already recommended on the label, which should be observed at all costs - even if it seems a bit ridiculous at first because of the small size of the tree. Incidentally, not only does the crown of the fruit tree need enough space to grow, the root system must also be able to spread. Many types of fruit are flat-rooted, the roots of which can grow many meters in width.
Recommended planting distances for selected fruit trees
If you consider that a normal apple or pear tree can develop a crown of up to ten meters wide, the large planting distances become more understandable - especially given that fast-growing fruit types and varieties are difficult to control with scissors . Incidentally, walnut trees, whose crowns measure 15 meters and more in diameter when old, require a particularly large amount of space.
Recommended minimum distances for pome fruit:
- Bush trees on weak rootstocks: two to two and a half meters
- Bush trees on medium-growing bases: two and a half to three metres
- Half trunks: four to five meters
- High trunk: up to ten meters
Recommended minimum distances for stone fruit:
- Bush trees on weak rootstocks: 2.5 to 3.5 metres
- Half trunks: four to five meters
- Clear stem: eight to twelve metres
Incidentally, sweet cherry trees also grow very quickly - and reach a considerable crown diameter within a few years.
Pay attention to the correct limit distance
So that there is no trouble with the neighbors, you should also keep the minimum distance to the property of the garden neighbor. The regulations on the border distances are not uniformly regulated in the federal states, as there are different laws and regulations. If you want to be sure, ask the responsible authority.
tips
If you have a small garden, you should preferably choose fruit varieties or dwarf varieties that have been grafted onto slow-growing rootstock. Columnar fruit trees, which only develop a few side shoots, are very well suited for both the small garden and the pot.