See which side the shade tends to drift toward when you change the row direction.
Orchard Row Shade Simulator
Visualize which side of a row orchard gets more shade from latitude, slope aspect, row direction, tree height, and canopy width.
It runs entirely in the browser and lets you switch between annual bias and representative sun conditions.
True north
In-browser calculation
Hemisphere-aware
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What This Tool Shows
See how slope aspect and slope steepness affect uphill/downhill bias in the same view.
Check how far the shadow reaches relative to row spacing with one clear ratio.
How to Use
- Enter latitude, slope aspect, and row direction.
- Enter tree height and canopy width.
- Open settings only if you want to refine slope angle and row spacing.
- Review the result card and heatmap to inspect shade bias.
Examples
Typical Orchard in the Northern Hemisphere
Input
Latitude 35.7°, slope aspect 180°, row direction 0°, tree height 3.2m, canopy width 2.8m, mode Annual
Output
Annual bias leans slightly downhill, and low sun increases cross-row overlap.
Row Orchard in the Southern Hemisphere
Input
Latitude -34.6°, slope aspect 20°, row direction 90°, tree height 4.0m, canopy width 3.4m, mode Low Sun
Output
The same true-north convention works in the Southern Hemisphere. Low sun increases downhill bias.
Glossary
True north
The north reference used for maps and azimuths. It is not always the same as magnetic north.
Azimuth
Angle measured clockwise from north. It lets the simulator treat row direction and slope aspect consistently.
Aspect
The downhill-facing direction of a slope. It affects uphill/downhill shade bias.
Shade Bias Index
A percentage-style index for uphill/downhill shade bias. Values near zero mean a more balanced result.
Cross-Row Reach
The ratio of shadow reach to row spacing. Values above 1 suggest row overlap.
Formulas
Solar altitude: sin α = sin φ sin δ + cos φ cos δ cos HAzimuth: A = normalize(atan2(sin H, cos H sin φ - tan δ cos φ))Terrain normal: n = normalize([sinβ sinAs, sinβ cosAs, cosβ])Shadow tip: S = P + t(-u), t = -n·P / n·(-u)Shade bias index: 100 × (downhill - uphill) / total shadeCross-row reach: shadow width perpendicular to the row / row spacing
Domande frequenti
L'aspetto del pendio da solo è sufficiente?
L'aspetto da solo non indica la pendenza, quindi le impostazioni usano un angolo di pendenza di riferimento.
Posso usarlo nell'emisfero sud?
Sì. Il segno della latitudine cambia emisfero e si usa la stessa convenzione dell'azimut rispetto al nord vero.
Devo usare il nord vero?
Sì. La direzione delle file e l'aspetto del pendio si basano sul nord vero. Se serve, converti prima i rilevamenti magnetici.
E se non conosco la spaziatura tra le file?
La modalità automatica usa 1,5× la larghezza della chioma come valore predefinito e stima la sovrapposizione tra le file.
Posso usarlo fuori dai frutteti?
Sì. La stessa logica funziona per i vigneti e altri sistemi perenni basati su file.
Notes
- This tool visualizes geometric bias. It does not guarantee microclimate or yield outcomes.
- Actual shade changes a lot with row spacing, canopy shape, pruning, and surrounding terrain.
- Enter row direction and slope aspect using true north. Convert magnetic bearings first if needed.
- When slope angle is not entered, the tool uses a default reference value. Replace it with a measured value in settings if available.