Practical spacing guidelines for hardwood plantings

Wide spacing for hardwood timber planting is necessary to yield quality production. Wide spacing causes a delay in crown closure, promoting branch retention. The wider the space, the more branching is found and the longer branches perpetuate themselves. It also allows considerable sunlight to enter the plantation, not only perpetuating lower branches, but also encouraging long-term competition growth. According to research, spacing rows 8 ft apart allows for equipment use and planting trees 6-7 ft in the rows is a good compromise of cost and optimum planting density. Also, target at least 700-900 trees per acre. These tips are designed to provide adequate number of seedlings and ensure quick canopy closure, improving timber quality and long-term competition. Information on the spacing, number of trees per acre, and years to achieve canopy closure is provided in a tabular form.