Orchard spacings & planting guide
Rootstock selection, row spacings, food forest layers, and planting specs for productive NZ orchards.
Rootstock sets the size of your tree. Dwarf rootstock suits small sections and espalier; vigorous stock for paddock orchards and poor soils. Match spacing to mature canopy width — overcrowding invites disease and reduces fruit quality. Check your climate zone before ordering.
| Fruit | Rootstock | H × W | Row spacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | M9 (dwarf) | 1.5–2×1.5m | 1–2m |
| Apple | M26 (semi-dwarf) | 2.5×2.5m | 2–3m |
| Apple | MM106 (semi-vig) | 3.5×4m | 3–4m |
| Apple | MM111 / M793 (vig) | 5–6×5–6m | 4–6m |
| Pear | Quince C (dwarf) | 2×3m | 2–3m |
| Pear | Quince BA29 | 3×4m | 3–4m |
| Pear | BP1 (vigorous) | 5–6×5m | 4–6m |
| Cherry | Gisela 5 (dwarf) | 3×3m | 2–3m |
| Cherry | Gisela 6 / Colt | 4×5m | 3–4m |
| Cherry | Mazzard (vig) | 6–8×6m | 5–6m |
| Plum / Apricot | St Julien A | 3–5×4m | 3–4m |
| Plum | Myrobalan (vig) | 5–6×5m | 4–6m |
| Peach / Nect. | Peach seedling | 5–8×5m | 4–5m |
| Peach / Nect. | Marianna | 4–5×4m | 3–4m |
| Quince | Own roots | 3×4m | 3–4m |
| Fig | Own roots | 4×5m | 3–5m |
| Feijoa | Own roots | 3×4m | 2–4m |
| Avocado | Zutano / Seedling | 6×6m | 5–7m |
| Citrus | Trifoliata | 3×3m | 2–4m |
| Olive | Own roots | 5×6m | 4–6m |
| Layer | Plant type | Spacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canopy | Large fruit/nut trees | 6–10m | Walnut, chestnut, standard apple |
| Sub-canopy | Semi-dwarf trees | 3–5m | Dwarf apple, pear, plum |
| Shrub | Fruiting shrubs | 1.5–3m | Blueberry, currant, gooseberry |
| Shrub | Nitrogen fixers | 2–4m | Tagasaste, Eleagnus, Ceanothus |
| Herb | Perennial herbs | 0.3–1m | Comfrey, yarrow, mint |
| Ground | Groundcovers | 0.3–0.5m | Clover, nasturtium, creeping thyme |
| Vine | Climbers | 3–6m | Kiwifruit, grape, passionfruit |
| Root | Root crops | 0.1–0.3m | Comfrey root, Jerusalem artichoke |
| Form | Wall/fence spacing | Best rootstock |
|---|---|---|
| Fan | 3.5–5m wide | Plum, cherry, peach on St Julien |
| Palmette / Espalier | 3–4m wide | Apple/pear on M26, MM106 |
| Cordon (oblique) | 0.75–1m wide | Apple/pear on M9, M26 |
| Stepover | 1m, 40cm high | Apple on M9 |
| Hedge row | 0.5–1m in-row | Apple on M9 with trellis |
New tree checklist
- Site: Full sun, good drainage, shelter from prevailing wind
- Rootstock: Match vigour to space — dwarf for backyard, vigorous for paddock
- Pollination: Check if variety needs a compatible partner nearby
- Spacing: Plan for mature canopy width, not whip size at planting
- Aftercare: Water weekly first two summers; mulch; protect from rabbits
Recommended spacing for fruit trees based on rootstock type and planting configuration. Use this guide to plan your orchard layout and maximize productivity while ensuring healthy tree development. H × W = Tree height × width at maturity | In-row spacing = Distance between trees in the same row.
| Fruit | Rootstock | H × W | In-row Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | Dwarf M26 | 1.5×1.5m | 1m |
| Apple | Medium M106 | 3–4×3–4m | 2–4m |
| Apple | Vigorous M793 | 5–6×5–6m | 3–6m |
| Apple/Pear | Myrobalan C | 4×5–6m | 3–6m |
| Pear | Dwarf BA29 | 4×4m | 3–4m |
| Quince | Quince C | 2×3m | 2–3m |
| Cherry | Gisela 5 | 2.5–3×2.5m | 2–3m |
| Cherry | Colt | 4–5×4–5m | 3–5m |
| Cherry | Mazzard F12/1 | 6–8×6–8m | 5–8m |
| Plum | Pixy | 2.5–3×2.5m | 2–3m |
| Plum | St. Julien A | 4–5×4m | 3–4m |
| Plum | Brompton | 5–6×5–6m | 4–6m |
| Plum | Myrobalan B | 5–6×5–6m | 4–6m |
| Apricot | St. Julien A | 4–5×4m | 3–4m |
| Apricot | Brompton | 5–6×5–6m | 4–6m |
| Peach/Nectarine | St. Julien A | 4–5×4m | 3–4m |
| Peach/Nectarine | Brompton | 5–6×5–6m | 4–6m |
| Fig | Own roots | 3–4×3–4m | 2–4m |
| Medlar | Quince A | 3–4×3–4m | 2–4m |
| Medlar | Seedling | 4–5×4–5m | 3–5m |
Spacing Considerations
These spacing recommendations are based on standard growing conditions and maintenance practices. Adjust based on:
- Climate zone: Trees in warmer, more fertile areas may require more space
- Soil quality: Rich soils promote more vigorous growth
- Training method: Espalier and cordons allow closer spacing than free-standing trees
- Access requirements: Consider machinery, maintenance paths, and harvesting needs
- Light availability: Ensure adequate sunlight penetration between rows
Understanding rootstock properties is essential for selecting the right foundation for your fruit trees. Each rootstock variety has specific characteristics that affect tree size, productivity, and growing requirements.
Apple Rootstocks
M26 (Dwarf)
Height: 1.5–2m | Spacing: 1m in-row, 2–3m between rows
Excellent for small gardens and containers. Requires permanent staking. Best suited to fertile, well-drained soils. Ideal for intensive planting and controlled spaces.
M106 (Medium)
Height: 3–4m | Spacing: 2–4m in-row, 4–5m between rows
Free-standing on most soils. Good all-round rootstock for garden and small commercial plantings. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Begins bearing fruit within 3-4 years.
M793 (Vigorous)
Height: 5–6m | Spacing: 3–6m in-row, 6–8m between rows
Standard size trees. Suitable for poor soils and exposed sites. Free-standing, very hardy, and long-lived. Takes longer to come into bearing (5-7 years) but produces heavily once established.
Pear Rootstocks
Quince C (Dwarf Pear)
Height: 2–3m | Spacing: 2–3m in-row, 3–4m between rows
Best on good, fertile soils with adequate moisture. Requires staking initially. Not suitable for chalky or very light soils. Brings trees into bearing quickly.
BA29 (Dwarf Pear)
Height: 4m | Spacing: 3–4m in-row, 4–5m between rows
Newer dwarfing rootstock for pears. More vigorous than Quince C. Better tolerance of poor soils while maintaining manageable size.
Myrobalan C (Compatible with Apple/Pear)
Height: 4–6m | Spacing: 3–6m in-row, 5–7m between rows
Vigorous rootstock. Free-standing on most sites. Tolerant of wet soils. Can be used for both apples and pears. Very hardy and adaptable.
Cherry Rootstocks
Gisela 5 (Dwarf)
Height: 2.5–3m | Spacing: 2–3m in-row, 3–4m between rows
Dwarfing cherry rootstock. Requires staking and fertile soil. Brings cherries into small garden scale. Excellent for netting against birds.
Colt (Semi-dwarfing)
Height: 4–5m | Spacing: 3–5m in-row, 5–6m between rows
Most popular cherry rootstock. Free-standing on good soils. Productive and relatively early bearing. Good vigor and adaptability.
Mazzard F12/1 (Vigorous)
Height: 6–8m | Spacing: 5–8m in-row, 7–10m between rows
Traditional vigorous cherry rootstock. Very hardy and long-lived. Best for orchards and larger spaces. Tolerates poor soils.
Plum, Apricot & Peach Rootstocks
Pixy (Dwarf Plum)
Height: 2.5–3m | Spacing: 2–3m in-row, 3–4m between rows
Very dwarfing. Best on fertile, well-drained soils. Requires permanent staking. Ideal for small gardens and patio growing.
St. Julien A (Semi-dwarfing)
Height: 4–5m | Spacing: 3–4m in-row, 4–5m between rows
Most widely used plum rootstock. Suitable for plums, apricots, peaches, and nectarines. Free-standing on most soils. Reliable and adaptable.
Brompton (Vigorous)
Height: 5–6m | Spacing: 4–6m in-row, 6–7m between rows
Vigorous traditional rootstock. Very tolerant of difficult soils and exposed sites. Long-lived and productive. Good for standard orchard planting.
Myrobalan B (Vigorous)
Height: 5–6m | Spacing: 4–6m in-row, 6–7m between rows
Similar vigor to Brompton. Particularly good on heavy or wet soils. Very hardy. Used for plums and their relatives.
Other Fruit Rootstocks
Fig (Own Roots)
Height: 3–4m | Spacing: 2–4m in-row, 3–5m between rows
Figs are typically grown on their own roots. Root restriction encourages fruiting. In cool climates, grow against warm walls. Needs good drainage.
Medlar on Quince A
Height: 3–4m | Spacing: 2–4m in-row, 3–5m between rows
Produces smaller, more manageable trees. Suitable for most garden situations. Quicker to fruit than seedling rootstock.
Medlar on Seedling
Height: 4–5m | Spacing: 3–5m in-row, 5–6m between rows
Traditional large tree. Very hardy and long-lived. Best for orchard plantings or larger gardens. Takes longer to establish but very robust.
Proper training shapes productive, healthy trees with good structure and airflow. For illustrated forms and NZ-specific tips, see the tree shapes guide.
These techniques maximize fruit production while maintaining manageable tree size.
Central Leader Free Training
Best for: Apples, pears, cherries, and plums on any rootstock
Objective: Develop a strong central trunk with well-spaced lateral branches
Key Characteristics
- Single central trunk maintained at ground level to 80cm height
- Training branches grow near flat to encourage fruiting
- Pruning is minimized — branches removed entirely or slightly shortened (except for espalier)
- Natural growth habit maintained for optimal light interception
- Suitable for most tree types and forms
Training Timeline
Year 1 (Establishment): Allow tree to establish root system. Select 3-4 well-placed branches as main scaffold. Remove competing leaders.
Years 2-3 (Development): Continue selecting scaffold branches at 20-30cm intervals up the trunk. Maintain central leader dominance.
Years 4+ (Maintenance): Minimal pruning focused on removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Thin fruiting spurs as needed.
Branch Removal Guidelines
When to prune: Mid-summer (after harvest for most species). Avoid pruning in late autumn/winter when disease risk is highest for stone fruits.
Remove branches that are:
- Crossing — Branches that rub against others, causing wounds and disease entry points
- Too low — Branches below the desired clear trunk height (typically 60-80cm)
- Too close to trunk — Narrow crotch angles (less than 45°) that are structurally weak
- Too vertical — Strongly upright branches that compete with the central leader
- Tired / hanging downwards — Old, unproductive branches that no longer bear quality fruit
Pruning Principles
- Make clean cuts: Cut just outside the branch collar, don't leave stubs
- Sterilize tools: Use methylated spirits between trees to prevent disease spread
- Less is more: Remove entire branches rather than heading back (shortening)
- Think long-term: Train for permanent structure in early years, minimize cutting later
- Observe response: Trees respond to pruning with vigorous growth; heavy pruning delays fruiting
Alternative Training Systems
Espalier
Flat, two-dimensional tree trained against a wall or trellis. Branches extend horizontally in tiers. Excellent for space-saving and wall fruit production. Requires regular summer pruning to maintain form.
Fan Training
Branches radiate from a short trunk in a fan pattern. Popular for cherries, plums, apricots, and peaches against walls. Provides good air circulation and even ripening.
Bush Form
Open-centered tree with short trunk (60-90cm) and 3-5 main branches forming a vase shape. Traditional form for plums and stone fruits. Allows good light penetration to center.
Cordon
Single stem trained at an angle (usually 45°). Very space-efficient, can plant 60cm apart. Excellent for apples and pears. Requires annual summer pruning to restrict growth and encourage fruiting.
Common Training Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-pruning young trees: Removes future fruiting wood and delays production
- Heading back branches: Causes excessive vegetative regrowth and water sprouts
- Allowing narrow crotches: Weak branch attachments that split under fruit load
- Pruning stone fruits in winter: Increases disease susceptibility (bacterial canker, silverleaf)
- Leaving stubs: Creates entry points for disease and decay
- Creating dense centers: Poor light and air circulation reduce fruiting and increase disease
- Ignoring early training: Much harder to correct poor structure in mature trees
| Rootstock | Used For | Type | Avg Height | Diameter | Canopy | Soil Preferences | Description |
|---|
Related: Tree training shapes · Seasonal care calendar · NZ climate zones · Harvest timeline