You can also lean them a foot or 2 away from each other. I have found this to be very productive for more space when roots are forced to close together. I would not dig them up.

6b Steve

Evan, they are in a triangle with my old dwarf lemon, and each little tree is about 4 feet from the other. I looked at the hedge, and it seems like even if my trees are not in a straight line, it's not going to be a disaster!! Thank you! ( Also while reading that thread, it seemed like a French drain was a good thing to have in my clay soil. One of the pipes that prevented me from optimal placement was a french drain, so I think that might be a good thing? My city requires swales and french drains to refill the water table.) Now to go figure out how wide my dwarf avocado will grow, and figure out where I plant it!! And how to protect my new plantings from the 100 degree heat wave we are getting for a week! And stake the tomatoes, fret about the wasps nests...

Steve, you mean literally lean? Like gently point the trunks away from each other? And thank you! I wasn't looking forward to digging in this heat!

Yeah. The trees will straighten out and give you another foot or two of separation.

He knows what he's talking about.

Yes I really do men lean

than

that below

6b Steve

Cool! So right now, while the soil is still uncompacted, push the trunks askew?

And did you just come up with that illustration! How cool can you get?

Kcandmilo, yes a French drain is a VERY good thing in clay soils, it will help water Perc better and let the roots breathe without getting too water logged.

Evan

I just drew that. It took about 10 minutes. I'll keep it on file for future postings.

6b Steve

I just went and leaned on the trunks! It was scary! I felt like I was ripping the roots out! I'll try to do it in gentle increments!

I would dig out the side you're going to lean them towards rather than just pushing them over, you could damage roots or possible the graft if the trees aren't that old.

Evan

Oh thanks! I am too much of a newbie to figure this out without all your help!!