Calculate Planting Density
Frequently, the planting density of a stand to be surveyed for seedling survival is unknown. In cases where
planting density is known, it is a good idea to use either of the two methods described here to determine
planting density to double-check for accuracy. Using the wrong planting density will negatively effect any
seedling survival assessment for a stand.
There are two simple methods to determine the existing planting density of a stand. In either case, in-the-field
measurement of the distances between seedlings in a row and the distances between rows will be required.
The first step in determining density is to identify the direction of the InRow planting. Using a measuring tape,
hip chain, or other device, measure the distance between several seedlings in a row(between 3 and 5), and
divide by the number of seedlings. You may be limited by the length of your measuring device, in which case
repeated measurements down the row may be taken, until a minimum of five trees have been measured. Use the
average distance of these measurement to determine the InRow Spacing.
Warning! Some trees may no longer be present, but they should still be counted in determining average row
spacing!
Similar to the previously described method, measure the distance between the rows for a minimum of five
BetweenRow distances. This will be your average BetweenRow Spacing.
Calculate the planting density using the following formula:
43560 / (X * Y) = Trees per Acre
Where:
X = InRow Spacing
Y = BetweenRow Spacing
Alternately, use the InRow and BetweenRow spacings to find the most closely related seedling spacing from the
following chart.
Common Spacing for Reforestation.
Spacing by Feet
Trees per Acre
6 X 10
726
6 X 12
605
7 X 10
622
7 X 12
519
8X8
680
8 X 10
544
8 X 12
454
9X9
538
9 X 10
484
10 X 10
435
Common Spacing for Wildlife.
Spacing by Feet
Trees per Acre
10 X 10
435
10 X 12
363
12 X 12
302
13 X 13
258
14 X 14
222
15 X 15
194