Free tool
Tree planting distance calculator
By Umair Nawaz, founder of Lirevon Updated How we test tools
Planting a tree? Pick the species, a size class or type the mature spread. You get a suggested minimum distance from the house, the driveway, overhead power lines and other trees. These are general rules of thumb, not a site plan. Call 811 before you dig.
Related: critical root zone, drip line, tree species guides, tree care by state, short answers about trees.
1. How big will the tree get?
2. The tree next to it (optional)
Suggested minimum distances
Tree
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From the house
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From driveway, walk, patio
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From overhead power lines
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From other trees
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Call 811 before you dig
Call 811 or file a request online a few working days before planting. Buried public lines get marked for free. Private lines (sprinklers, a line to a shed) may not be.
Estimates only. General rules of thumb measured to the center of the trunk. Your soil, species, local codes, HOA and utility rules come first.
A simple drawing, not to scale. The numbers update as you change the tree.
How the math works
S is the mature spread of your tree in feet. Every result is rounded up to the next foot.
- Size class comes from the species height and spread, the class you picked, or your spread (under 20 ft = small, 20 to 35 ft = medium, over 35 ft = large). For a species, the bigger class wins.
- House = half of S plus 5 feet, but never less than 10 ft (small), 15 ft (medium) or 20 ft (large).
- Driveway, sidewalk or patio = a quarter of S, but never less than 4 ft (small), 6 ft (medium) or 8 ft (large).
- Overhead power lines = half of S plus 10 feet, but never less than 10 ft (small), 25 ft (medium) or 50 ft (large). Measured sideways from the line.
- Other trees = (S + the other tree's spread) ÷ 2, center to center, so the crowns just meet when grown.
Distances by size class
The same rules as the tool, worked out for a typical tree in each class. General guidance only. Check your utility and city rules.
| Size class | Grown height | Typical spread | House | Driveway | Power lines | Other trees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Under about 25 ft | About 15 ft | 13 ft | 4 ft | 18 ft | 15 ft |
| Medium | About 25 to 40 ft | About 30 ft | 20 ft | 8 ft | 25 ft | 30 ft |
| Large | Over 40 ft | About 50 ft | 30 ft | 13 ft | 50 ft | 50 ft |
Estimates, rounded up. Measured to the center of the trunk.
Medium trees in our library
- American Holly (10-20 ft wide)
- American Hornbeam (20-35 ft wide)
- Arborvitae (10-15 ft wide)
- Blue Palo Verde (15-25 ft wide)
- Crape Myrtle (10-20 ft wide)
- Eastern Hophornbeam (20-30 ft wide)
- Eastern Redbud (25-35 ft wide)
- Flowering Dogwood (15-30 ft wide)
Large trees in our library
- American Beech (40-60 ft wide)
- American Chestnut (40-60 ft for a full-sized tree wide)
- American Elm (40-60 ft wide)
- American Linden (30-50 ft wide)
- American sycamore (60-80 ft wide)
- Atlantic White Cedar (10-25 ft wide)
- Bald Cypress (15-30 ft wide)
- Balsam Fir (15-25 ft wide)
Browse every species in the tree library, or let the tree picker suggest one for your yard.
For homeowners
Before you plant
- Call 811 a few working days before you dig.
- Look up. If the grown tree could reach a power line, pick a smaller tree or a new spot.
- Check your city and HOA rules, mostly for the strip by the street. See tree permits.
- Leave room for the roots, not just the crown. The critical root zone calculator shows how much ground a grown tree needs.
- Planting a big tree or moving one? A local insured pro can do it. Start with our homeowner guides.
For tree crews
Use it on the job
- Print the sheet and leave it with the customer after a planting visit.
- Show the homeowner why the tree they love is too big for the spot by the wires.
- Pair it with the tree height calculator when a tree already in the yard sits too close.
- Offer planting as a service? Read the tree planting service guide.
Questions about planting distance
How far from my house should I plant a tree?
A common rule of thumb is half the mature spread of the tree plus about 5 feet, measured from the house wall to the trunk. A small tree with a 15 foot spread lands around 13 feet. A large shade tree with a 50 foot spread lands around 30 feet. This tool also uses a minimum for each size: 10 feet for small, 15 for medium and 20 for large trees. Treat it as general guidance.
How far from power lines should I plant a tree?
Guidance varies, but many power companies sort trees by grown height. Small trees, under about 25 feet tall when grown, can often go closer to lines. This tool suggests roughly 25 feet or more for medium trees and 50 feet or more for large trees, measured sideways from the line. Rules differ by utility, so check with yours before you plant. Never plant or prune near a line yourself if branches could reach it.
Why do I need to call 811 before planting a tree?
A planting hole can hit a buried gas, electric, water, phone or cable line. Calling 811 or filing a request online gets the public lines marked for free. Make the request a few working days before you dig. Rules on how early to call differ by state. Private lines, like a line to a shed or a sprinkler system, are often not marked, so ask about those too.
How far from a driveway or sidewalk should a tree go?
Roots of many trees lift pavement as they thicken. This tool suggests at least a quarter of the mature spread, with a floor of 4 feet for small trees, 6 feet for medium trees and 8 feet for large trees. Species with shallow, wide roots, like many maples, need more room than that. When in doubt, go farther.
How far apart should I plant two trees?
Take the mature spread of each tree, add them and divide by two. That is the center-to-center distance where the crowns just meet when grown. For a screen or hedge row you can plant a bit closer on purpose. For healthy, full shade trees, give them the full distance or more.
What is mature spread and where do I find it?
Mature spread is how wide the crown of a grown tree gets, from one side to the other. Plant tags, nursery listings and university extension pages list it. Our tree library lists the typical spread for many common US species. Use the bigger number in the range to be safe.
What if I do not know the species?
Pick a size class instead. Small trees are under about 25 feet tall when grown, medium trees are about 25 to 40 feet, and large trees are over 40 feet. If you are not sure, choose the bigger class. A tree planted too far away is rarely a problem. One planted too close often has to come down later.
Do I need a permit to plant a tree?
Usually not on your own yard, but many cities control trees in the strip between the sidewalk and the street, and some HOAs have rules on what and where you can plant. Check with your city and HOA first. Short explanation, not legal advice.
Can tree crews use this tool?
Yes. Tree companies that plant trees can use it to set customer expectations, show the math on site and print a sheet for the homeowner. The distances are general guidance. Your own experience with local soil, species and utility rules comes first.
Is anything I type sent to Lirevon?
No. The math runs in your browser. Your choices are only kept in this browser on this device so the form is filled in next time. Clear your browser data to remove them.
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