If you plant five baby conifers very close together, what will happen as they grow?

For example, what if they were planted only about 12 inches apart and they are red cedars or hemlocks, something that grows tall.

If you plant five baby conifers very close together, what will happen as they grow?
A few of them will probably be shadowed by the others and maybe only two of them will get very tall. The roots in conifers go straight down like a big carrot instead of spreading so you shouldn't have a problem with roots, although they may grow together underground if they become too big. The biggest problem I see is that your side branches will not have room and the trees will not be as healthy.





If they were just planted you may be able to move them. However, trees do better when replanted in the spring.





I've replanted 3 foot hemlocks before. Of course they were extracted before I replanted them so I don't know how they up rooted them to keep them healthy.
Reply:They would most likly grow together and then tangle up as one.
Reply:The lower branches will be dead. You can plant them this close but you will need to take some out as they grow. They shpuld be spaced 5-6 feet if used as a hedge, 20-30 feet if a landscape tree.
Reply:I am not a plant expert, but from the little experience I have at home and a bit of common sense, I would say that they would "fight" for survival and the strongest would survive. This struggle happens underground as the roots compete for water and nutrients.
Reply:They grow together and do not grow as tall. It is better to place them at ten foot intervals.