If you want to be successful with a home fruit orchard, you need
to start from the ground up.

Generally, fruit trees are composed of two parts: the scion and
the rootstock. The scion is equivalent to the variety. The
rootstock is the bottom part of the tree and is critical to its
longevity.

The bud union is the site where the scion was grafted to the
rootstock seedling. It’s generally obvious at the time of
planting.

Rootstocks affect trees’ size, aesthetics and resistance to
freeze injury, diseases and pests. Dwarfing trees makes them
easier to manage by making them simpler to prune, thin and
harvest.

Apple Rootstock

Apple rootstock development has provided the greatest range in
size modification. The M7 is semidwarfing rootstock and reduces
pruning needs while making thinning and harvesting easier. It
also provides some fire blight resistance.

Too much dwarfing can increase expenses and management. The M26
requires support by way of trellising. This technique is
expensive, but it has the benefit of placing all of the fruit
virtually within arm’s length. Trellised apple trees on M26 make
interesting and friendlier fences between you and your neighbors,
too.

In pear production, the Calleryana seedling rootstock develops
into a very large tree that’s susceptible to fire blight. But Old
Home and Province Quince are resistant to fire blight.

Plums, Peaches

For plums and peaches, Nemaguard and Guardian are good
rootstocks. Nemaguard is useful where root knot nematodes are in
the soil. Guardian is advisable in peach replant sites or when
root knot or ring nematodes are a problem. For peaches, Lovell
and Halford are also options, but they don’t provide nematode
resistance.

If you plan to buy named varieties from tree nurseries, now is
the time to make a decision for next year.

The nurseries plan now which scion-rootstock combinations they
will plant for sale next year. To be certain you get your
favorite variety on the dwarfing or resistant rootstock of your
choice, place an order now.