Lets get close

[bodger]

Hi fruiteers, question is how close can apple trees be planted to each other?
Have two est trees and have just bought 2 lidl trees and would like them in one area as close as possible.
Do trees get lonely?
Thanks

[lynda66]

of course trees get lonely, and they also need hats and scarfs in this weather ..... sorry dunno HOW lonely though lol

[bodger]

I think lynda66 your spoiling your trees too much. You will only regret it when they get older.

[Flummery]

To be serious for a minute (strewth, hark at me!) you need to know what rootstock your trees are grafted onto. Then google apple tree rootstocks or something similar. Some are semi-dwarfing, some dwarfing and it makes a big difference as to how big the tree will grow (and therefore how far apart they need to be) M27 is fairly small and M9 is small - that's from memory - check up on me - I'm getting to the age where if I don't know I happily make it up!

I would hope that it would say on the label what rootstock they are on.

Hope that helps.

[bodger]

Thanks Flummery, but if i cant find what rootstock they are, what would be a good calculated guess? Trees are in shed at allotment so cant check.
thanks

[greendean]

if apple trees are planted too close then there is a danger you won't fit through the gap. always leave plenty of space between trees.

they also like to be hugged, it makes them happy

[FB.]

Thanks Flummery, but if i cant find what rootstock they are, what would be a good calculated guess? Trees are in shed at allotment so cant check.
thanks

MM106 and M26 are very commonly used rootstocks for gardens.
On decent soil, MM106 manages 3-4 metres, M26 manages 2-3 metres. On poor soil with low rainfall, they may only manage half that.
The final size (and therefore optimum spacing) will depend on many factors - soil fertility, rainfall and the variety grafted onto the rootstock.
The size will also be influenced by the way that you prune them and the time of the year that you prune them.
Even MM106 (3-4m height and spread) can be pruned to remain at 1-2m (by a knowledgable person).

I live in a low-rainfall area on a mediocre, slightly sandy soil. Water and nutrient retention is poor.
For me, anything less than MM106 usually struggles and even MM106 needs careful attention for the first few years.
As a result, with some varieties, I need to use extremely vigorous rootstocks (MM111 or M25) to grow even a 2-3metre bush.

I'm guessing that you've got some of:
Bramley
Jonagold
Golden Delicious
Cox's Orange Pippin
Granny Smith

Bramley is very strong growing, as is Jonagold. Bramley will grow nearly twice as large as most other varieties.
My Bramley/M26 will out-grow everything that I have, except my Laxton Superb/MM106 and my Tydeman's Late Orange/MM106.

[Mcbee]

If you're short of space you could try growing them as cordons. That should keep the spacing down.

Chris Bowers & Sons - Cultivation Guide - Apples and Pears