Pleached trees are one of the most effective ways to introduce height, structure and privacy into a garden without creating a dense screen at ground level. With clear stems supporting a trained rectangular canopy, they can be positioned above an existing fence or wall to help screen overlooked gardens while maintaining valuable space below.
One of the most important questions when ordering pleached trees is how far apart they should be planted. The answer isn't quite as simple as giving every pleached tree the same measurement.
The right spacing depends on the width of the trained frame, the size and specification of the trees and the finished appearance you want to achieve. Getting these measurements right before planting will help create a balanced, consistent screen as the trees mature.
Start with the Width of the Pleached Frame
When buying pre-trained pleached trees, the frame width should be your starting point for calculating planting distances.
If you want the finished canopies to create a continuous screen, the trees will usually be positioned so that their frames either meet or have a relatively small, consistent gap between them. The trunks should therefore be measured centre to centre according to the width of the individual frames and your intended finished effect.
For example, if the frames are 1.5 metres wide and you want them positioned edge to edge, the trunks would generally be planted approximately 1.5 metres apart, centre to centre. If you want a small visible gap between each frame, that distance would be added to the centre-to-centre measurement.
This is why it's important to check the dimensions of the pleached trees you're actually ordering rather than relying on a universal spacing figure.
Should You Leave Gaps Between Pleached Trees?
Whether the frames should meet immediately or have a small gap between them is partly a design decision.
Positioning frames close together creates a more immediate sense of continuity, which can be particularly useful when privacy is the main objective. Leaving a consistent gap gives each tree slightly more definition initially, with new lateral growth gradually helping to connect the canopies over time.
Remember that the bamboo or support frame represents the trained structure of the tree when purchased. The branches will continue growing beyond it and can be trained and pruned as the screen develops.
For a long row, even a small difference in spacing can become significant. It is therefore worth measuring the entire planting line and calculating the position of every trunk before digging the first hole.
Does the Variety Affect Pleached Tree Spacing?
Species matters when considering growth rate, foliage density, pruning and the eventual appearance of the screen, but it shouldn't replace the actual frame dimensions when calculating your initial planting positions.
Tree Heritage Nursery offers several evergreen pleached options, including Pleached Photinia Red Robin, Pleached Silverberry (Elaeagnus ebbingei), Pleached Cherry Laurel and Pleached Portuguese Laurel.
These are particularly useful where year-round foliage and screening are priorities. Photinia also provides colourful red new growth, while Portuguese Laurel offers smaller, more refined evergreen foliage.
For a deciduous screen, Pleached Hornbeam and Pleached Beech provide a traditional formal appearance. Both can retain some of their dried foliage through winter when regularly clipped, although the amount retained will vary according to conditions.
Pleached Liquidambar offers something different again, with its foliage providing particularly impressive autumn colour.
Rather than changing the planting distance according to a generic rule for evergreen or deciduous trees, check the frame dimensions of your chosen specimens and plan the row accordingly.
Allow Enough Room for Planting and Establishment
While the appearance above ground is important, the root system needs just as much consideration.
The planting area should provide enough room for the rootball or root system to be positioned correctly without being forced into an undersized hole. The surrounding soil should also be prepared so that new roots can establish beyond the original rootball.
Avoid planting pleached trees too deeply. The root flare should be positioned around soil level, and the surrounding ground should be firmed carefully and watered thoroughly after planting.
Also consider the proximity of walls, fences, paving and other structures. Rather than following a universal rule such as placing every pleached tree exactly 50cm from a boundary, allow sufficient room for the particular tree, its root system and future maintenance.
Don't Forget Support and Staking
Pleached trees have an unusual shape, with a relatively large trained canopy positioned high above the ground. This means newly planted specimens can catch the wind and may require appropriate support while their roots establish.
Depending on the size of the trees and conditions of the site, a suitable staking system can help reduce movement around the rootball. Pleached and semi-mature specimens are often supported with two stakes and a crossbar during establishment.
The trees should also be watered carefully after planting and during dry periods while establishing. Consistent aftercare is especially important for larger specimens.
Training Pleached Trees into a Continuous Screen
Once established, new lateral shoots can be trained horizontally to help neighbouring canopies connect.
Flexible young growth can be carefully tied into the existing framework using suitable soft ties. Over time, this helps create the continuous elevated screen associated with established pleached planting.
Regular pruning will then be required to maintain the defined shape of the canopy and prevent the screen becoming excessively deep or untidy.
The time it takes individual trees to join will depend on the species, size, growing conditions and initial distance between the frames, so avoid assuming every row will form a completely continuous screen within one or two growing seasons.
Pleached Trees for Homeowners and Trade Professionals
Tree Heritage Nursery grows and supplies high-quality trees from its nursery in Hertford, backed by more than 50 years of experience.
Alongside private customers, we supply landscape architects and designers, professional gardeners and horticulturists, commercial landscapers and property developers throughout the UK.
For larger projects involving a long run of pleached trees, consistency of frame dimensions, clear stem heights and overall tree size can be particularly important. Our team can help you select suitable specimens and calculate the quantities required for your planting scheme.
Order Pleached Trees Online
Tree Heritage Nursery offers a carefully selected range of evergreen and deciduous pleached trees for privacy screening, boundaries, formal gardens and professional landscaping projects.
Browse our pleached tree range and order online for specialist UK-wide delivery. If you're unsure how many pleached trees you need or how far apart to plant them, contact the Tree Heritage Nursery team with the length of your planting area and your preferred trees. We'll be happy to help you choose the right option and work out suitable spacing for your project.