Fruit Trees: Rootstock – What is it and how do I choose the right one?Updated 5 days ago

Rootstock fruit trees are a fantastic option for gardeners and fruit lovers who want to grow trees suitable for the size of their garden. This article explains what rootstock fruit trees are, their creation, and the available varieties.

What are Rootstock fruit trees?

A rootstock fruit tree is a combination of two parts of related fruit trees that have been grafted together above the roots.

The rootstock is the root system of one plant onto which the flowering or fruit-producing part of another plant, called the scion, is attached. This will produce an identifiable bulge a few inches from the bottom of the stem where the two parts have been knitted together.

The two parts must be from related plants to be grown successfully.

Why are Rootstocks used for fruit trees?

Rootstocks are grown for a number of reasons. Predominantly, rootstock is planted to control the overall size of a plant. For example, a pear tree can easily grow to over 5m tall. For a lot of gardens, this will be far too large to manage. Rootstock allows you to grow pear fruit with a root system that will only allow it to grow to a suitable size for your garden.

Planting rootstock also helps to improve the disease resilience of fruit trees and allows them to be grown in smaller spaces than if they were grown on their own.

Crucially, the rootstock has no influence over the size of the fruit itself, allowing you to grow full-sized fruit on a much smaller tree.

Shop Fruit Tree Collection Here

Rootstock Names Explained

When choosing your rootstock fruit tree, they will often be listed with the name of the rootstock used. These will not make much sense if you have not grown these types of trees before. Understanding the terminology will help you to choose the right fruit tree for your garden. Below are some of the common rootstock varieties and what they mean.

Colt

Colt was created in 1997 at the East Malling Research Station in Kent. It is a cross between a related but less vigorous species of sweet cherry, Prunus Pseudocerasus, and the sweet cherry Prunus Avium. It was the first sweet cherry dwarfing rootstock, allowing a cherry tree to be grown in a small garden.

A Colt rootstock is semi-vigorous and will grow to an ultimate height of 2m. Fruit will take 3 to 4 years to appear; they prefer medium to heavily fertile soil. If planting multiple fruit trees, place them 6m apart.

MM106

This is probably the most adaptable rootstock for cultivating specimen apple trees in Europe. Additionally, it is the best method for creating large, trained forms like espaliers. Once established, trees on MM106 will tolerate other plants or grass growing around them and only require occasional watering during dry spells. While most of the crop should be accessible from the ground, picking fruit from higher up on the tree may require a ladder.

This semi-dwarf variety reaches an ultimate height of 3-5m. Fruit will appear after 3-4 years, and they are happy in various soils, including poor ones. Space 3.6m apart and 4.5m between rows if you create an orchard.

Quince A

Quince A (not Quince Adams) is a widely planted semi-vigorous pear rootstock. Pears grafted with Quince A often grow to a height of 3 – 4m after 5-10 years. It is often considered equivalent to the apple MM106 but is less vigorous. Quince A does best in good soils but is not tolerant of chalk or drought conditions. Fruit will appear after 4 years and should be spaced 3 – 4.5m apart.

St Julien

A semi-vigorous rootstock that produces trees about the same size as the apple MM106 rootstock. St. Juliens were originally grown for their fruit, which is useful for drying but not particularly for eating. A tree grown on St. Julien rootstocks is significantly smaller than a tree growing on its own roots, reaching an ultimate height of around 2m. After three to four years, plum trees typically bear fruit. With some tolerance for chalky soils, St. Julien can thrive in a wide range of soil types.

Gisela

Gisela is a semi-dwarfing cherry rootstock that produces trees around 3m tall that begin fruiting after 3-4 years. Originating in Germany in the 1960s, this rootstock made it incredibly convenient to grow cherry trees in smaller spaces. If planting multiples, plant in loamy, fertile soil around 2.7m apart.

M26

This rootstock variety, used for apple trees, is a semi-dwarfing variety that reaches an ultimate height of around 3m, with fruit beginning to appear after 2-3 years. It is happiest in average soils and should be spaced around 2.5m apart, with 4.5m between rows.

Corylus

Used for Hazel plants, it is a non-suckering and drought-resistant rootstock which can greatly reduce the time in which it takes a plant to produce fruit. Can be easily pruned and maintained at a manageable and pickable height.

Dwarfing Varieties

Quince C

Pear trees are often grown on this dwarfing rootstock to fit nicely into small gardens or allotments. Trees grown on this rootstock often start fruiting after around 4 years of growth and reach an ultimate height of 3m. Space around 3m apart if planting multiple trees.

M9

A commonly used dwarfing rootstock with shallow roots that require nutrient-rich soil. M9 has a long history of use in apple production, reportedly providing the world with an extra 18 million tonnes of apples between 1920 and 1960 and saving 70 million hours of picking time with its shorter height.

This variety reaches an ultimate height of 2.4m and will bear fruit in 2-3 years. It should be planted in fertile, well-drained soil and spaced at least 2.5m apart.

VVA-1

This Semi-dwarfing type of rootstock is used for cherries, peaches and apricots, which produces a compact tree with a high resistance to disease. Its compact size makes it easier to manage and ensures its fruit stays at a pickable height. Typically, trees will grow to between 2 and 2.5m and are winter hardy.

Quince Eline

This dwarfing rootstock for pears is similar to Quince C; however, it is generally more productive and better tolerates cold temperatures. Typical trees will reach between 2 and 3m tall, allowing for easy fruit harvesting and maintenance of their shape.

Choosing a rootstock variety

Your choice of fruit stock ultimately depends on the type of fruit you want to grow and the space available to grow it. Understanding your garden’s growing conditions will also influence your choice of fruit tree, as some rootstock varieties will prefer certain growing conditions.

Planting your rootstock fruit tree

Once you have chosen and received your rootstock trees, it’s time to plant. Choose a sunny spot in the garden, ensuring enough room for it to grow to its mature height. Your choice of rootstock fruit tree should mean that you have the perfect size specimen for your garden.

Dig a deep, wide hole large enough to accommodate the entire root system. Place the hole in your tree and backfill the soil around the roots. You may want to hammer in a stake beside your fruit tree to support it. Simply hammer in, and ensure the top of the stake reaches the tree’s bottom branches. Attach the tree to the stake with tree ties.

Water the tree well and mulch with compost to ensure it stays moist.

Shop Fruit Trees

Shop Fruit Tree Collection Here