Tree Spacing & Trees per Acre Calculator
How many trees fit in a field or orchard from row and in-row spacing (square, rectangular or triangular layout) — trees per acre and hectare, rows and trees per row, and the spacing needed for a target density.
How it works
Trees = usable area ÷ (row spacing × in-row spacing); triangular layout ÷ 0.866 (+15%); per acre = 43,560 ft² ÷ spacing product in ft; spacing for N trees = √(area ÷ N)
Planting density is a straightforward division of usable area by the ground each tree occupies, but the choice of spacing carries the whole economics of an orchard or plantation. High-density dwarf apple orchards on trellis pack over a thousand trees into an acre for early, heavy yields; traditional standards at eight metres give a hundred. Rows are set wide enough for machinery and light, trees within rows as close as the rootstock’s vigour allows. A triangular (quincunx) arrangement fits about 15% more trees in the same area with the same nearest-neighbour distance, at the cost of straight cross-rows for cultivation. Always deduct headlands, access tracks and shelter belts before dividing.
Worked example
One acre with 4.5 m rows and 2 m in-row spacing (9 m² per tree) and a 5% headland: about 427 trees — 450 per acre, 1,111 per hectare at full density.
Frequently asked questions
How far from the boundary should the first row be?
At least half the row spacing, and more if the neighbour has hedges or shading — many growers leave a full row width plus a vehicle track (4–6 m).
What about hedgerow or fence-line planting?
Divide the length by the in-row spacing and add one: 100 m at 2 m spacing = 51 trees.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.