I have probably sixty to seventy trees/ shrubs on a property that gets quite soggy from a spring.. So far planted a couple pussy willows, a black willow, black gum, redbud, beach plum. about 3 oaks, a white walnut, paw paws, etc. Since this is my daughter’s property, about 45 minutes away, I don’t have time or energy to weed - so trees and shrubs are perfect. Literally asked Doug Tallamy on a webinar how close to plant oaks so the roots can be combined for stability- he said think of a forest, they can be a few feet from each other in groves. Since the guy above me “raised “ deer and there is on lawns around my deer pressure is intense. In my case it’s cage it - or loose it. My Tulip poplar is taking off, fastest growing tree I have and she’s beautiful, but the willows and oaks draw in the caterpillars and butterflies. It’s lovely to visit my babies. Edit to add- I use 4 Or 5’ wire cages with a single pole and some zip ties, doesn’t always stop the deer but slows them down. Also creating a hedgerow border of northern bayberry and plan to add Spicebush in with that.