A fruit tree’s rootstock controls primarily the tree’s size, precocity (how early the tree bears fruit), cold hardiness, and partly its disease resistance (such as fire blight). In order to grow a reliable and high quality fruit tree, growers graft the scion, which is above the ground and responsible for the fruit’s characteristics and disease resistance, onto the rootstock, which is underground. Grafting is a horticultural technique growers use to combine the tissues of two plants so that they continue to grow together with certain desired characteristics. However not all trees are grafted. Seedlings are trees grown from seed and aren’t grafted. Moreover, in general seedlings grow to be larger than grafted trees, stronger, more hardy, and more likely to survive frosts. 

Apple

We use different rootstocks such as dwarf (Bud 9 and G.41), semi-dwarf (EMLA 7, EMLA 111, G.890, Bud 118), and standard (we use Antonovka seedlings). From our experience growing in New York, we have found the Budagovsky (Bud), Geneva (G), and EMLA series to be great options since they are reported to be virus free and produce very healthy trees. Learn more about apple rootstocks in this article.

Apple Rootstocks

Apricot

We grow our apricot trees onMyrobalan 29C (standard), Marianna GF 8-1 (standard), Krymsk 1 (semi-dwarf) and St Julien(semi-dwarf) rootstocks.Myrobalan 29C (also known as Cert Myro) is the improved version of Myrobalan (Myro) and an excellent, widely adapted rootstock that has a vigorous root system. Secondly, Marianna GF 8-1 is very robust and adapts to all types of soil. Additionally it not susceptible to root asphyxia. Krymsk 1 is a dwarfing rootstock from Russia which produces trees about 50-70% of the standard tree size. Additionally it improves the fruit size and is more cold hardy than other rootstocks. Lastly, St Julien is a semi-dwarfing rootstock (producing a tree with a height of around 10′-15′). Additionally it is tolerant of most soils.

Cherry

We grow our cherry trees on Mazzard (standard, 16-20ft tall), Mahaleb (standard), and Krymsk 5 (90% of Mazzard size). Mazzard, which is one of the oldest known sweet cherry rootstocks is the most popular rootstock in North America. Additionally, it’s great for wet and heavy soils. Moreover it is generally more vigorous than Mahaleb, especially in poorer soils. Mahaleb on the other hand, is great for deep soils with good drainage. Additionally it is cold hardy, precocious, and deep rooted. Lastly, Krymsk 5 is a more precocious rootstock than Mazzard or Colt (bears fruit earlier) and very tolerant of stress conditions.

cherry rootstocks

Nectarine

We grow our nectarine trees on Bailey and Lovell rootstocks which have high survival and make large trees. At full maturity, nectarine trees range from about 10-15′ tall with proper pruning. In fact without pruning, they can grow up to 25 feet tall.

Pear

We grow our pear trees on Betulaefolia (grow standard trees around 20ft), Calleryana (also known as Call, 90-100% of standard size), OHxF97 (grow trees 70-90% of a standard tree size), OHxF87 and OHxF333 (grow trees around 2/3rd of a standard tree size) rootstocks. For European pears, the OHxF series, especially the OHxF 87 and 97 are great choices. Not only are they resistant to fire blight but they also produce healthy trees. Learn more about pear rootstocks in this article.

pear rootstocks

Peach

We grow our peach trees on Bailey and Lovell rootstocks which have high survival and make large trees. At full maturity, peach trees range from about 10-15′ tall with proper pruning. In fact without pruning, they can grow up to 25 feet tall. Moreover Bailey rootstock is slightly dwarfing and has yield efficiency as good as or better than Lovell.

Plum

We grow our plum trees on Myrobalan (standard 10-15′ tall), Myrobalan 29C (standard), Marianna GF 8-1(standard), Krymsk 86 (80-90% of standard), and Krymsk 1(semi-dwarf) rootstocks. Myrobalan 29C(also known as Cert Myro) is the improved version of Myrobalan (also known as Myro) and an excellent, widely adapted rootstock that has a vigorous root system and is the most tolerant of wet soils. It also has less suckering than a seedling. Marianna GF 8-1 is very robust and adapts to all types of soil. Additionally it not susceptible to root asphyxia but has a shallow root system.

You can read more in our growing guide about how to take care of the trees. If you would like to discover our fruit trees, explore our fruit tree catalog or shop page. Our trees are available for every spring season.

8 thoughts on “Our Rootstocks

  1. alan Wamsley says:

    I am looking for root stock for the spring 2022 season. Could you direct me if you have any or do you know who might?

  2. Jordan Lentz says:

    Do you have any information on why Asian pears are better to be grown on Betulaefolia vs OHxF 97?

    • Surik Mehrabyan says:

      Hi Jordan,
      The Asian pears grown on Betulaefolia produce larger fruit compared to those on OHxF97. However, the difference is not big. We grow many of our varieties for scion and bud wood on OHxF97 so it’s a great rootstock overall. There are no other advantages.

      Best,
      Surik

  3. Beverly briggs says:

    I am planting my first American persimmon tree and cherry tree this year. What is rootstock

  4. Lisa says:

    Hi, what rootstock do you sell for grafting fuyu persimmon? When will you ship them? I am in zone 6b-7a

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