Rootstocks

Note:
Almost all fruit trees, whether on standard or dwarfing rootstocks, are too big for a typical backyard orchard. The easiest, most effective way to keep fruit trees at manageable size (about eight feet high) is by summer pruning.

Nemaguard

Vigorous, resists root-knot nematode. Excellent for well-drained soils. In poorly-drained soil, plant on a hill. For nectarines, apricots, plums, prunes, almonds.

Lovell

More tolerant of wet soils than Nemaguard. Also more cold hardy. Susceptible to nematodes in sandy soils. For plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, prunes, almonds.

Atlas*

Advantages: extremely vigorous, nematode resistance similar to Nemaguard, productive, increases fruit size.

Disadvantages: may be intolerant of wet soil conditions, delays fruit maturity in some varieties.

Viking*

Advantages: vigorous, precocious tree, nematode resistance similar to Nemaguard, productive, increases fruit size, shows tolerance of wet soil conditions. (Zaiger)

Titan Hybrid

Titan almond x Nemaguard peach hybrid seedling.

Advantages: extremely vigorous, may have root-knot nematode resistance, considered well anchored, tolerant of calcareous soil conditions.

Disadvantages: trees may be excessively vigorous on good soil, may delay maturity of fruit, more susceptible to crown rot than peach seedling rootstocks, intolerant of wet soil conditions.

Marianna 26-24

Shallow root system, much more tolerant of wet soils than Lovell or Nemaguard. Resistant to oak-root fungus, root-knot nematodes. Mature trees comparatively small. For apricots, plums, most almonds.

Myrobalan 29C

Shallow but vigorous root system. Tolerates wet soils. Immune to root-knot nematodes, some resistance to oak-root fungus. Trees reach larger size compared to Marianna 26-24. For apricots, plums, most almonds.

Citation

Peaches and nectarines dwarfed to 8 to 14 feet. Apricots and plums dwarfed to 3/4 of standard. Very tolerant of wet soil, induces early dormancy in dry soil. Very winter hardy. Resists root-knot nematodes. Trees bear at young age. (Zaiger)

St. Julian "A"

Semi-dwarf rootstock for cold areas with fluctuating spring temperatures due to inconsistant spring weather conditions. Preferred over Citation in north coastal mountains and Oregon.

Hansen 536

Advantages: Very vigorous, with excellent anchorage and few root suckers.

Disadvantages: Needs well drained soils. Very susceptible to bacterial canker, phytopthora and oak root fungus

Domestic Apple

Most rugged rootstock for apples. Vigorous, deep-rooted, cold-hardy. Tolerates wet soil, dry soil, poor soil. Unpruned tree height of standard varieties 18' to 30 feet. Trees on apple seedling may be held to any desired height by summer pruning.

M-111

Excellent all-around rootstock for apples. Induces early and heavy bearing. Tolerates wet soil, dry soil, poor soil. Resists woolly apple aphids and collar rot. Trees dwarfed to 85 % of standard.

M-27

Extremely dwarfing rootstock for apples. Trees dwarfed to 6-8 ft, ideal for high density planting, small spaces in garden, tub growing. Induces early and heavy bearing. Small root system, young trees may need staking. Good for container growing.

M-7 & M-7A

Dwarfs to 65% of standard. Induces early and heavy bearing. Resistant to fireblight, powdery mildew, moderately resistant to collar rot. Good anchorage. Very winter hardy, widely adapted.

Disadvantages: prone to suckering.

M-9

Advantages: dwarfs trees to 40 to 45% of seedling size, increases fruit size, may slightly advance maturity.

Disadvantages: susceptible to fireblight and wooly apple aphid, trees must be supported, shallow root system may be drought sensitive.

Mark

Trees dwarfed to half of standard size. Resists fireblight and phytophthora root rot. Well anchored, no staking required. Few or no suckers. Trees bear so heavy that thinning is essential to control stress on tree. Requires fertile soil, constant moisture.

BUD-9

Dwarfing to 1/3 of Standard. Approximate height to 10', width to 6'. Resistant to Phytopthera. Excellent precocity & cold hardiness. Good for container growing.

Mahaleb

The most winter hardy of the commonly used cherry rootstocks. Sweet cherries slightly dwarfed, no dwarfing effect on sour types. Induces early, heavy bearing. Resists crown gall, bacterial canker, some nematodes. Not tolerant of wet soils.

Mazzard

Standard rootstock for sweet cherries. Vigorous, more tolerant of wet soils than Mahaleb (but good drainage still required). Resistant to root-knot nematodes and oak-root fungus.

Colt

For sweet cherries. In heavy soils, trees are dwarfed to 70-80% of standard. Lesser dwarfing effect in other soils. Apparently resistant to bacterial canker. Relatively tolerant of wet soils (but good drainage still required). Trees begin bearing at young age.

GM61/1

Standard cherry varieties dwarfed to half-size, or about 15-20 ft. if not pruned. Relatively tolerant of wet soil. Trees begin bearing at young age. Trees on GM61/1 may be held to any desired height by summer pruning.

Zee Stem on Citation

Advantages: Allows cherry growers to use appropriate peach/plum/almond rootstocks for the planting location, precocious and dwarfing when used with Citation rootstock. Improves fruit quality.

Disadvantages: Crop managment may be needed on precocious varieties during early years. Not drought tolerant.

Winter Nelis / Domestic Pear Seedling

For European and hybrid pears. Vigorous, relatively tolerant of wet soils. Resistant to oak-root fungus. Long-lived trees reach 20-25 ft.

OHxF97

For European, Asian and flowering pears. Vigorous, widely adapted, disease-resistant. Winter hardy, tolerant of wet soils.

OHxF333

European and Asian pears on OHxF333 are dwarfed to about 2/3 the size of standard, or about 12-15 ft. Widely adapted, disease-resistant.

Betulaefolia

For Asian pears. Very vigorous, tolerates wet soil, dry soil, alkaline soil. Resists pear decline. More vigorous than Calleryana, and more winter hardy.

Calleryana

For flowering pears and Asian pears. Preferred rootstock for warm winter/hot summer climates and for sandy soils. Also adapted to wet soils. Asian pear varieties slightly dwarfed, bear heavily at young age.