Farming

Avocado Plant Spacing Calculator

Enter your plot size and spacing plan to get estimated tree numbers, rows, trees per row and planting area — plus an explanation of what different spacings mean in practice.

ac
5 m2 m12 m
5 m2 m12 m

Your planting layout

Estimated trees

161

Before headlands and paths

Trees per acre

161

5 × 5 m

Trees per hectare

400

Rows

13

Trees per row

12

Area per tree

25 m²

A commonly used spacing band

This sits in the range most avocado orchards use, and leaves room for the canopy without wasting land.

How to think about spacing

  • Spacing is set by variety habit, rootstock vigour, soil fertility and how much pruning you are prepared to do. An upright variety takes closer spacing than a spreading one.
  • Rows are usually oriented to maximise light interception and make machinery access practical. Leave headlands wide enough for whatever equipment you will use.
  • Real plots lose area to paths, turning space and irregular boundaries, so field counts typically come in a little below the calculation.
  • If you plant at high density with a plan to thin, the thinning has to actually happen. Orchards that skip it end up shaded, disease-prone and hard to harvest.

Every result here is an estimate built from your own inputs and widely published growing guidance. Real outcomes vary with rootstock, soil, weather, water quality and management.

Background

About the avocado plant spacing calculator

Spacing is a long-term decision. Plant too close and the canopy closes within a few years, cutting light, raising disease pressure and forcing heavy pruning or thinning. Plant too wide and land sits idle for a decade. Most orchards choose something between these and plan to thin later.

The right spacing depends on variety habit, rootstock vigour, soil fertility, irrigation and how much pruning you are willing to do. An upright variety on a modest rootstock takes closer spacing than a spreading one on fertile, well-watered land.

How this tool works

  1. 1Enter area in acres or hectares, or the length and width of the plot.
  2. 2Set row spacing and in-row tree spacing.
  3. 3The tool returns estimated trees, rows, trees per row and area per tree.

How to read your result

Estimates exclude headlands

Real plots lose area to access paths, turning space and irregular boundaries. Expect the field count to come in slightly below the calculation.

Density is a management choice

Higher density brings earlier yield per acre and more pruning work. Lower density is easier to manage and slower to fill.

Plan the thinning now

If you plant at high density, decide upfront which trees come out later — and mark them.

Worked example

One acre at 5 m between rows and 5 m between trees gives roughly 160 trees; at 6×6 m it drops to around 110.

FAQ

Common questions

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