Planting fruit trees correctly - planting next to each other?

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Planting fruit trees correctly - planting next to each other?: each

Sweet, crunchy and healthy - in our latitude, delicious fruit is one of the most popular plant species grown within the local green area. The classics include easy-care fruit trees, which must not be missing in any garden. However, when planting the trees, special attention must be paid to the optimal tree neighbors; choosing the right species here can increase yields and significantly improve the fruit quality of the fruit. When selecting suitable partners, pollination and fertility of the tree play a role alongside similar site conditions.


In principle, different criteria can be used to decide which fruit trees are suitable as ideal neighbors. The experienced hobby gardener includes the following aspects in his considerations:
  • Is a mixed culture desired for plant strengthening?
  • Does a pollinator species require sort-like neighborhood planting?
  • Is it a robust strain?
  • Which site conditions exist for the different varieties?
  • How much space is available?
In all considerations, the size of the garden must be taken into account; If you have only a small area to plant, in many cases you will resort to a mixed culture in order to accommodate as many different species as possible. However, this only applies to self-fertile fruit trees; if it is a species that requires an additional pollinator, two of the same species must be planted next to each other. Then it is better to focus on one or two favorite species.
Tip: Today, numerous new varieties are available in miniature format, which can also be located next to unfavorable plant neighbors. However, these usually provide lower yields depending on the size.

Create mixed culture - advantages

The creation of a mixed culture means that different varieties of fruit trees are planted in direct proximity to each other. More and more hobby gardeners opt for this method and plant, for example, apple trees next to cherry trees. This planting offers the following advantages:
  • Effective pest control
  • Improvement of plant growth
  • Intensification of the fruit taste
Several varieties planted next to each other, can fend off long-term annoying pests. Not only the mixed culture of different fruit trees achieves this effect, but also the combination with various herbs. This type of planting also increases soil fertility, which has a positive effect on plant growth. Different fruit trees attract various insects that act as pollinators; Yields can be increased and fruit quality improved.

Site-dependent fruit tree partnerships

Apple - malus

In order for different types of fruit trees to benefit from each other, it has been proven to take account of the respective site requirements, especially with regard to the following conditions:
  • Moisture of the soil
  • Nutrient reservoir of the substrate
  • Location of the location (shady or sunny)
The soil plays an important role in planting the fruit trees. For example, apple trees tend to thrive on moist soils, while pears prefer warm and dry substrates. With a uniform texture of the soil, plums are therefore particularly suitable for apples, as they also prefer a slightly moist substrate. Both species thrive particularly well on nutrient-rich humic substrate. Pear trees, on the other hand, feel good next to cherries.
In addition, the location of the site plays an important role when fruit trees are to be combined. In the immediate vicinity, all the same species are initially available, for example different varieties of apple trees. in mixed culture all sun-loving species can be combined in the same situation; For example, neighborhoods are possible between the following types:
  • Apples and plums
  • Apples and sweet cherries
  • Plums and sweet cherries
If only a heavily shaded area within the local green area is available, figs and sour cherries will feel well next to each other; also certain apple varieties can be planted in direct neighborhood. But then the fruits remain smaller. Not only fruit trees, but also fruit shrubs can be combined with the different species; For example, currant bushes that are placed in the vicinity of fruit trees, many pests (for example, voles and other rodents) from.
Even herbs that are underplanted, represent an ideal mixed culture with all kinds of fruit trees, for example nasturtium, horseradish or garlic. Nasturtium also has the advantage that it provides as a live mulch for rotting plant parts.This way additional fertilizer can be saved.

Pollination of fruit trees

- Reason for optimal plant neighborhoods -

Pear - Pyrus

Many hobby gardeners look forward to a full bloom of their fruit trees in the spring - and are disappointed when the harvest is low. Often the cause of such yield problems is due to poor pollination - which may have the following causes:
  • wrong plant partners
  • too few insects
  • weather problems
In most cases, the yield can be increased by finding suitable plant partners. Although a fruit tree can basically stand alone in the garden, two trees in relative proximity to one another increase the likelihood of a high yield enormously. Depending on the type of tree, the fruit trees support in different ways during fertilization; In kiwis, for example, it has proven useful to plant two trees of the same species next to each other. These fruit species, which are called dioecious, fertilize each other because one carries male and the other female flowers.
Garden owners, who want a rich Kiwiernte, should plant mainly female, but at least one male flower in the immediate vicinity in the garden. However, many of our most popular fruit trees are hermaphrodites; These carry both female and male organs in a single flower. These include, for example:
  • plums
  • apples
  • cherries
  • pears
However, this does not mean that these species, when planted individually, provide high yields; Nevertheless, it has proven in many cases to plant two identical varieties in direct proximity to each other. For example, the flowers of many apple varieties need the pollen of another apple variety so that a fruit can ripen. In addition to apples, pears and most varieties of sweet cherry are barren, so at least two trees should always be planted side by side.
If there is not enough space in the local green area to supply sufficient pollen for the flowers, it may be advisable to avoid species that are present in the neighboring garden, for example. In this way, the own pollen offer can be ideally complemented.
Pollen supply, location requirements and optimal location of the fruit trees: those who focus on the different needs of their fruit trees selects the right plant partner. In this way, the yields can be optimally increased - in every garden.

Video Board: Fruit Tree Spacing | How Far Apart To Plant?.
