Rootstock - V. Kraus Nurseries LTD.

Apple Rootstocks

Our apple trees are grafted on a number of clonal rootstocks that are selected to meet the
demands of our many growers throughout Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. We use stocks
from EMLA, Budagovsky and Geneva rootstock programs.

Rootstock selection is an important part of orchard management strategy. Each has its own
advantages in addition to controlling the size of the mature tree.

Disease and insect resistance, hardiness, precocity, anchorage and soil adaptability are all
important characteristics to consider when planning your site.

Also, individual apple cultivars may perform differently when paired with different rootstocks. Learn more

Apple Growth Chart

Pear Rootstocks

We use Standard pear seedling, OHxF 97 and/or OHxF 87. Learn more

Cherry Rootstocks

Our sweet and sour cherry rootstocks include Mazzard and Mahaleb. Learn more

Plum and Apricot Rootstocks

Our plum and apricot trees are grown on Myrabolan rootstock. Learn more

Peach and Nectarine Rootstocks

Our peach and nectarine trees are grown on standard Bailey rootstock. Learn more

Apple Rootstocks

Note: The listed size ranges are relative to a standard apple tree which will stand 6 meters tall at maturity.

Semi-standard (60-95%)

M.111

Size: Approx. 80-85% of standard

Vigorous rootstock requiring no support. Resistant to collar rot and wooly apple aphid and can withstand drought conditions. It is tolerant of both heavy and light soils. Approx. spacing 18’ between trees and 26’ between rows. Eventual height of tree 18-25’.

M.106

Size: Approx. 70-80% of standard

Semi-vigorous rootstock that crops early and requires no support. Resistant to wooly apple aphid, but is susceptible to collar rot. Should not be planted in wet sites or heavy clay soil. Approx. spacing 16’ between trees and 24’ between rows. Eventual height of tree 15-18’.

Semi-dwarf (50-65%)

M.7

Size: Approx. 60-65% of standard

Semi-dwarf rootstock requires no support. Good resistance to collar rot and fire blight and adapts well to a wide range of soil types and climates. It has a tendency to sucker. Approx. spacing 14’ between trees and 21’ between rows. Eventual height of tree 10-15’.

Geneva 30

Size: Approx. 50% of standard

Requires support. It has good anchorage and precocity and is resistant to collar rot and fire blight. Approx. spacing 9’ between trees and 18’ between rows. Eventual height of tree 10-12’.

Dwarf (40%)

M26

Size: Approx. 40% of standard

Dwarf rootstock that requires support. An early producer with excellent cold hardiness, it performs better in well drained soils. It is prone to burr knots and susceptible to fire blight and collar rot. Approx. spacing 9’ between trees and 18’ between rows. Eventual height of tree 10-12’.

Super Dwarf (25-30%)

Geneva 41

Size: Approx. 25-30% of standard

Requires support. Has good precocity. Immune to collar rot and fire blight, wooly aphid and tolerant of replant disease. Has proven to grow a productive tree with good fruit size and quality. Approx. spacing 8’ between trees and 16’ between rows. Eventual height of tree approx. 8’.

M.9 (337)

Size: Approx. 25-30% of standard

Dwarf rootstock that requires support. Ideal for high density plantings. Very precocious and produces large fruit. Resistant to collar rot and does not produce many suckers. Susceptible to fire blight. Approx. spacing 8’ between trees and 16’ between rows. Eventual height of tree 8’.

Bud 9

Size: Approx. 25-30% of standard

Dwarf rootstock that requires support. Has demonstrated more cold hardiness relative to other M.9 clones. Is precocious and produces large fruit, similar to M.9. Resistant to collar rot and reported to have more resistance to fire blight compared to other M.9 clones. Approx. spacing 8’ between trees and 16’ between rows. Eventual height of tree 8’.

Cherries

Standard

Mazzard

Sweet and sour cherry rootstock, more tolerant of heavy soils.

Mahaleb

Sweet and sour cherry rootstock, better in lighter soils. More cold hardy and drought tolerant than mazzard.

Pears

Standard

Bartlett seedling

Vigorous rootstock for pears. Recommended spacing is 12’ between the trees by 20’ between the rows. Susceptible to fire blight.

OHxF 97

Produces a standard size tree, is hardy and productive. Recommended spacing is same as Pyrus communis. Somewhat resistant to fire blight.

Semi-dwarf

OHxF 87

Size: Approx. 60% of standard

Semi-dwarfing rootstock recommended for higher density plantings. Can be planted 5’ between trees and 12-14’ between the rows. Somewhat resistant to fire blight.

Plum and Apricots

Standard

Myrobalan

Our plum and apricot trees are grown on Myrobalan rootstock. It is a vigorous rootstock and adaptable to varied soil types. Myrobalan is shallow rooted, yet well anchored. Recommended spacing is 12’ between trees and 20’ between rows.

Peach and Nectarine Rootstocks

Standard

Bailey

Our peach and nectarine trees are grown on standard Bailey rootstock.

Planting Instructions

Plant your trees as soon as they arrive. If you cannot plant them right away, dig a trench about 1 foot wide and hill them in individually, never in bundles. If possible, make your trench in a sheltered place. When planting the trees never have the root exposed to wind or sun. Keep the well covered and moist up to the moment you plant them. Never put fertilizer or fresh manure into the hole. Watering the trees after planting in spring or in a dry fall is a must, as is additional watering in June, July and August, should the season by dry. The summer watering should be done before the trees show any symptoms of suffering.

When planting apple trees on any of the dwarfing rootstocks, plant them deeper than they were in the nursery but always keep the bud 2-3” above ground level.

After planting, trim 1 year whips of dwarf trees at 24”, semidwarf and standard whips at 32”. Do not leave the whips untrimmed as they would branch out too high. 2 year old trees (apple and pears) should be trimmed back the following way: Completely cut out the two branches which are below the leader. These branches generally make narrow angles and could cause splitting of your trees later on. Shorten the leader and remaining side branches by 1/3 to ½ making sure that the last bud is always facing out.

The leader on peach trees, sour cherry and plum trees should be cut back by ¼ – 1/3 and all the side branches cut back to the second bud from the main stem. This is important, especially with peach trees which might dry out if the branches are not reduced as mentioned above. Cover all cuts on peach trees with tree wax or braco. Keeping you new plantings clean and cultivated for at least the first year is also beneficial.

Remember that the success or failure of a new planting is in your hands. The better you care for your trees, the sooner they will pay back your efforts.

Rootstock Information

Apple Rootstocks

Pear Rootstocks

Cherry Rootstocks

Plum and Apricot Rootstocks

Peach and Nectarine Rootstocks

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