What planting spacing is specified in Prescription 1?

• A. 10 x 10
• B. 7 x 7
• C. 6 x 6
• D. 12 x 12

Answer: (A)

Planting spacing is the distance between trees in a stand, both from row to row and within each row. Prescription 1 specifies a uniform 10 by 10 spacing, meaning trees are planted 10 feet apart in both directions. This creates about 435 trees per acre, a moderate density that supports healthy early growth while keeping thinning options available later.

If spacing were tighter, like 7 by 7 or 6 by 6, many more trees would fit per acre, increasing competition, slowing diameter growth, and requiring earlier or more intensive thinning. If spacing were wider, such as 12 by 12, fewer trees would establish per acre, reducing early competition but lowering short-term timber yield and land-use efficiency.