Hexagonal Or Triangular

Another method of arrangement of the trees

which is becoming more and more popular is the hexagonal or triangular

system. More trees can be planted on an acre by this plan than by any

other, it being very economical of space. It makes all adjacent trees

equally distant from each other and is really a system of equilateral

triangles. This plan is better adapted to small areas and especially

to irregular ones, and should be employed where land is expensive and

culture very intensive. It is more difficult to set an orchard after

this method without error, and it is open to the objection of

inconvenience in cultural operations. Most people forget that while

the rows running cornerwise in a rectangular or square field set after

this plan may be a standard distance apart, yet the right angle rows

(not trees) in which it may be more convenient to work are actually

much closer together.



The best plan to follow to get the rows of trees straight on a level

field is what is known as the outside stake method. This plan requires

the placing of a row of stakes on each of the four sides of the field

where the trees are to be set and usually about two rows each way

through the middle. For this purpose ordinary building laths are best,

about one hundred and fifty laths, or three bundles, being required

for five acres, which is as large a unit as can be set at once by this

plan.



_First_, determine the distance from the road or fence to the first

tree row, which would be at least eighteen feet to allow for turning

the teams, and establish base lines on each side of the field at right

angles to each other.



_Second_, beginning at the given distance from the side of the field,

set up a row of stakes along these base lines at the exact distance

apart at which the trees are to be set and about half way between the

fence and the first right angle row. Do the same on all sides of the

field.



_Third_, by sighting across the field from one end stake to the other

the cross rows of stakes can be set through the middle of the field.

These should be about six or eight rods apart, and care should be used

to avoid setting them where they will interfere with the sighting of

the right angle rows. This plan has the great merit of enabling the

entire orchard to be set without moving a stake, as no stake stands

where a tree is to be set. If the trees are set exactly where the

sight lines cross at right angles and if all rows are an equal

distance apart, the rows will be perfectly straight.



On rough or rolling land this plan does not work well. Here more

simple methods, though requiring more time, must be used. Lines drawn

with a cord or marked across the field with a corn planter answer well

for small areas. Poles of the right length are often used to good

advantage. In setting trees after the hexagonal plan an equilateral

triangle made of light poles or wire is probably best, especially on

small rough areas, as it is very accurate, simple, and quite rapid.

Some men prefer to make measurements and set a stake at every point

where a tree is to be placed. In these cases a simple device locates

the original stakes after the hole has been dug. A light board about

six feet long with a notch in the center and holes with pegs in them

at each end is placed with the notch at the stake. One end is then

swung round and the hole dug. When the end is replaced on its peg the

tree set in the hole should rest in the notch where the original stake

did.



The following table shows the number of trees required per acre at

different distances for the square or rectangular method and for the

hexagonal method.



Sq. Hex. Sq. Hex.



12 x 12 302 344 24 x 24 75 80

12 x 15 242 ... 24 x 30 60 ..

15 x 15 193 224 30 x 30 48 56

15 x 18 161 ... 30 x 36 40 ..

15 x 20 145 ... 33 x 33 40 46

15 x 30 96 ... 30 x 48 30 ..

18 x 18 134 156 30 x 60 24 ..

18 x 20 121 ... 36 x 36 33 39

20 x 20 108 124 40 x 40 27 31

20 x 30 72 ... 40 x 50 21 ..



It will be noted that the hexagonal plan allows the setting of from

four to forty trees more per acre than the square plan, even when the

trees are set the same distance apart. This is the great advantage of

this plan over the square. Filling an orchard one way, i.e., between

the permanent row, in one direction only, practically doubles the

trees which can be set on an acre; filling both ways quadruples the

number.