??Fig Hedge-Row Spacing and orientation Questions??

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dawgdrvr

Registered:1326421951
Posts: 217

Posted 1366941688	Reply with quote #1

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 __________________ Cody Grand Mound,WA 98579 Plantmaps Zone 7~A, Sunset Zone 4 and USDA Zone 8~A. WISH LIST: San Pedro ,Breba & Early crop Figs and ANY figs from 'Belleclare Nursery'

dawgdrvr

Registered:1326421951
Posts: 217

Posted 1367118370	Reply with quote #2

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 Grand Mound,WA 98579 Plantmaps Zone 7~A, Sunset Zone 4 and USDA Zone 8~A. WISH LIST: San Pedro ,Breba & Early crop Figs and ANY figs from 'Belleclare Nursery'

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1367119464	Reply with quote #3

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.

HarveyC

Registered:1212433117
Posts: 3,294

Posted 1367126127	Reply with quote #4

Attached is a good analysis of factors depending on your climate. Attached Files RowOrientation.pdf (298.62 KB, 24 views) __________________ Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14 http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics

pitangadiego

Moderator
Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1367158932	Reply with quote #5

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. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

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