Calculate stems or trees per hectare and per acre from planting spacing, find the spacing for a target density, or estimate density from a sample plot.

Land needed and retention
Optional: shows how much land this many plants needs at the spacing above.

100% assumes no losses. Blank also means 100%; this is a projection assumption.

Related Calculators

Stems Per Hectare Formula

For rectangular spacing, use the following formula. For two angled grid directions, multiply the spacing product by the sine of their angle; equal triangular spacing uses 60ยฐ. Target-spacing mode first divides the retained target density by the retention fraction. Sample mode expands the observed count by 10,000 divided by the horizontal plot area in square meters.

SPH = (10,000) / (PS ร— RS)

Variables:

  • SPH is the number of stems per hectare
  • PS is the plant spacing in meters
  • RS is the row spacing in meters

For rectangular spacing, divide 10,000 by the product of the horizontal plant spacing and row spacing, both measured in meters.

What is Stems Per Hectare?

Stems per hectare expresses the number of stems per 10,000 square meters. Spacing calculations describe an ideal repeating grid, while sample-plot calculations expand an observed count. A separate retention percentage projects retained or established stems; the default 100% assumes no losses. These calculations do not determine optimal planting density or predict growth, yield or survival.

How to Calculate Stems Per Hectare?

The following steps outline how to calculate the number of stems per hectare.

  1. First, determine the plant spacing (PS) in meters.
  2. Next, determine the row spacing (RS) in meters.
  3. Use the formula SPH = 10,000 / (PS ร— RS).
  4. Finally, calculate the number of stems per hectare (SPH).
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Plant Spacing (PS) = 2 meters

Row Spacing (RS) = 2.5 meters. For rectangular spacing, SPH = 10,000 / (2 ร— 2.5) = 2,000 stems/ha, or approximately 809.371284 stems/acre. With a 90% retention assumption, the projected retained density is 1,800 stems/ha.