How many trees - stocking and spacing densities

Once you have determined your species, think about how far apart trees will need to be when they are mature. Then decide whether to plant the exact number required or if you want to thin them in the future, retaining the healthiest individuals.

New woodland planting. WTPL / Steven Kind
If you are planting on small amounts of land (an acre and under), try our tree calculator to help you work out how many trees you will need approximately.

To plant a hedge:

Plant trees in a staggered double row 50cm apart and each row approximately 45cm from the other. A good hedge for laying will include mainly hawthorn and blackthorn in the mix but you can also include occasional trees which can be left uncut (oak, ash, cherry, rowan) or species which give variety in flowering and habitat (Guelder rose, wild rose, spindle).

To create a woodland:

The size and the planting density of the trees will depend on whether you want instant impact or slow evolution and whether you are looking at timber production or wildlife as your start point. We have used a range of planting densities depending on site situation and character and also the various grant regimes. Some standard densities are often quoted as follows; the denser rates are rarely used except in tight locations where management is less likely (e.g. on road schemes):

Planted every 3 metres - 1,111 trees per hectare
Planted every 2.5 metres - 1,600 trees per hectare
Planted every 2 metres - 2,500 trees per hectare
Planted every 1.5 metres - 4,444 trees per hectare
Planted every 1 metre - 10,000 trees per hectare

High stocking rates can be used to speed up the canopy closure and gain ‘control’ of a site more rapidly, especially on weedy sites to keep down maintenance costs or where rabbits may cause high losses. One to two year-old trees (40–100cm) planted at 2–2.5 metre spacing is the most common ‘formula’ providing reasonably rapid canopy closure. Older, taller trees will cost disproportionately more, grow more slowly when first transplanted and have a lower survival rate.