Correct Spacing for Landscape Trees and Shrubs

Examples of Planting Distances Between Familiar Woody Ornamentals

Nov 6, 2009

Shrubs Planted Too Closely, Not in Scale with Sign, ©Georgene A. Bramlage

Planting trees and shrubs too close to each other and to structures is a common landscaping mistake. Here are suitable planting distances for 25 familiar species.

Planting landscape trees and shrubs close together is a big temptation that leads to overgrown and unhealthy plants, and untidy and chaotic appearing landscapes. In many localities, the prevailing landscaping philosophy is that of planting in ten year cycles. Crowd small plants together in newly established foundation plantings and borders and then in ten years time do away with existing material and replant.

One reason for this philosophy is that it is less expensive to buy small plants in containers instead of ball and burlapped semi–or fully mature trees and shrubs. In addition, crowding avoids gaps in beds and borders, and results in instant gratification. (Photo #1)

To avoid this ten–year cycle, space is required for young trees and shrubs to grow and reach their optimum sizes. Roots of healthy mature trees and shrubs can extend 1.5 to 4 times the width of their tops.

Even though vigorous top pruning may keep plants in scale with buildings and landscape designs, woody plants may not remain healthy because roots lack space to keep on growing. (Photos #2 & 3) Moving badly placed and well-established woody plants may not always be successful. Removal also destroys landscape schemes.

Ways to Avoid Crowding Landscape Plants

Check out mature widths and heights of plants in landscape plant manuals and online sources.
Plant ball and burlapped semi– or fully mature trees and shrubs at correct distances, rather then smaller, less expensive plants. Though initially more costly, in the end, larger plants make the entire job easier.
Use perennials such as daylilies and iris, and annuals to fill in spaces until trees and shrubs begin to reach their growth potential.
Investigate new smaller cultivars of landscape trees and shrubs that fit modern landscape design spaces.

Examples of Planting Distances for 25 Landscape Trees and Shrubs

Less Than Three to Six Feet

Japanese/Box–leaved holly (Ilex crenata)
Dwarf Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
Flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa)
Mugo pine (Pinus mugo)
Slender deutzia (Deutzia gracilis)

Six to Eight Feet

Medium–size rhododendron (Rhododendron mucronulatum)
Pfitzer juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Pfitzerana')
Japanese andromeda (Pieris japonica)
Fountain/drooping leucothoe (Leucothoë fontanesiana)
Kerria/Japanese rose (Kerria japonica)
Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa)

Ten to Twelve Feet

Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidate 'Capitata')
Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Hedge cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lucidus)

Fifteen to Twenty Feet

Rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum)
Japanese privet / Wax–leaf ligustrum (Ligustrum japonicum)
Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
Common/French lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Japanese/Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa)

Thirty Feet

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)
Japanese flowering cherry/Oriental Cherry (Prunus serrulata)
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)

Almost or More Than Forty Feet Taller and Wider

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
Norway maple (Acer platanoides)
London plane tree (Platanus Xacerifolium)

More Information

The copyright of the article Correct Spacing for Landscape Trees and Shrubs in Tree Care is owned by Georgene A. Bramlage. Permission to republish Correct Spacing for Landscape Trees and Shrubs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.