Hi all ,

       I am planning two or  maybe 3 fig hedge-rows  in a 40'X60' area.  I  was wondering what others here who have a fig hedge . In what  direction do YOU  orient the row to provide  maximum  sunlight. Without spindly growth and give good fruit production? .  North/South , or East/West. ????  The area will get  full sun. 
        I will be growing them in bush form,spaced 8-10 ft. apart . Should i space the rows also 8-10 ft apart also?
I am also thinking of doing a step-over on my fence line. the 4x4 posts are spaced 10 ft apart running East/West .  any suggestions ? 

Thanx 

Doug ,
 

         Thank you for the info on the amount of direct sunlight you get with N/S rows . I did some rough sketches and since the 40'x60' area runs East/West.  I figure if I plant the rows  North/South I'll have shorter rows than i first had drawn up in my head .  I think that I will go with  rows spaced 10 ft apart

Thanx again

Cody,
If the trees are expected to be 8-10 ft diameter then the row spacing has to be greater than 8-10 feet for air, light penetration and access. the row spacing is usually 2 times or greater, than the plant spacing. If they will be pruned and shaped then the spacing may be fine. North/South is preferred orientation, but in my case the espalier fig orchard is on a south facing slope, so the rows have to be East/West, but sunshine is available for 8-10 hours per day in summer.

Apple Tree Spacing

"Row spacing width.
North/South direction; 1.3 times expected or projected tree height.
(For East/West row direction, use 1.5.) Tall Spindle limited to 10 ft. height."

This is a general "rule of thumb" but can be applied to almost anything that is grown in rows. The apple tree spacing above is used for newer commercial intensive orchards. With additional pruning (work) the figs can be planted closer, apple trees pruned to "Spindle" are planted at 4-1/2 feet in the row.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Attached is a good analysis of factors depending on your climate.

Consider planting the trees closer together in the rows, with greater spacing between the rows. Also, tree size makes a difference. If you prune heavily for size control, spacing will be different than if you let the trees get larger.