Establishing the correct planting distance is the most important decision for ensuring an apricot tree’s long-term health, productivity, and ease of maintenance. This initial spacing choice determines how much light, air, and soil nutrition each tree receives throughout its life. Making this foundational decision before planting dictates the entire management strategy for the developing orchard.
Factors That Determine Apricot Tree Size
The mature size of an apricot tree, which directly informs its required spacing, is primarily determined by the rootstock upon which the desired fruiting variety is grafted. The rootstock is the lower portion of the tree, including the root system, and it exerts a controlling influence over the vigor and final height of the scion—the apricot cultivar grafted onto it. Growers utilize specific rootstocks to create three distinct size categories: standard, semi-dwarf, and dwarf. Dwarfing rootstocks actively limit the vegetative growth of the apricot top, resulting in a smaller, more compact tree that requires less pruning and allows for easier harvesting. While the cultivar’s inherent growth habit contributes to its final canopy size, the rootstock remains the dominant factor in determining the tree’s overall size class.
Specific Planting Distance Recommendations
The spacing between apricot trees must accommodate the full mature spread of the canopy and root system for the chosen size class. Standard, full-sized apricot trees reach heights and spreads between 20 and 30 feet, requiring generous spacing. These large trees should be planted 20 to 25 feet apart to prevent canopy overlap and resource competition. If planting in rows, the distance between rows should also be at least 25 feet to allow for maintenance access and sunlight penetration.
Semi-dwarf apricot trees typically mature to a height of 12 to 18 feet, offering a good compromise between manageable size and high productivity. These trees require a spacing of 15 to 20 feet between trunks. For orchard planning, a row-to-row spacing of 18 to 22 feet is sufficient for driving equipment and ensuring adequate light reaches the lower branches.
Dwarf apricots are the most manageable, growing to a height of 8 to 15 feet, which is ideal for backyard or high-density plantings. These compact trees can be planted much closer together, with a tree-to-tree spacing of 8 to 15 feet. In a high-density setting, row spacing can be reduced to 12 to 15 feet, maximizing the number of trees per area. Achieving very close spacing, such as a 2-to-3-foot gap, is only feasible in specialized hedgerow systems requiring intensive annual pruning.
Arranging Trees for Optimal Growth and Harvest
Beyond the simple distance between trees, the physical arrangement and management practices refine the measurements to ensure long-term health and productivity. Arranging the rows in a north-south orientation is recommended to maximize the sunlight that penetrates the entire canopy throughout the day. This orientation helps prevent self-shading, ensuring the lower and inner portions of the tree remain productive. Maintaining the intended spacing relies heavily on a consistent training and pruning strategy. Apricots are commonly trained to an open-center system, or vase shape, where the center of the tree is kept open by removing the central leader. This open structure is highly beneficial because it maximizes air circulation throughout the branches, which is a major defense against fungal diseases. Annual pruning is necessary to maintain the tree within its allotted space and ensure sufficient light penetration, which is necessary for the formation of fruit spurs and the development of high-quality fruit.
Consequences of Improper Spacing
Failing to provide enough space between apricot trees results in several negative outcomes that severely impact the tree’s health and the quality of the fruit. When canopies overlap, the trees compete intensely for essential resources like sunlight, water, and soil nutrients. This competition leads to stunted growth, reduced vigor, and a significantly lower overall yield. Crowding also creates an environment with poor air circulation, which traps humidity and dramatically increases the pressure from fungal diseases and pests. The lack of air movement prevents leaf surfaces from drying quickly, making the trees highly susceptible to brown rot and other common apricot pathogens. Furthermore, overly dense plantings make routine maintenance tasks, such as pruning, spraying, and harvesting, extremely difficult. Planting trees too far apart, while better for tree health, results in inefficient land use and a lower yield per acre, which is a concern for commercial operations.