How to choose the best rootstock for your orchard

Apples are one of the most popular fruits in the world, and they come in a wide range of varieties.

However, the rootstock on which the apple tree is grown can have a significant impact on the growth and productivity of the tree.

The rootstock influences the size, precocity, cold hardiness, and disease resistance of the apple tree. Different rootstocks have different characteristics and produce trees of different sizes, ranging from very dwarf to standard.

The size of the tree affects how much space it needs, how easy it is to prune and harvest, and how much yield it produces.

There are many different types of apple rootstocks, each with its own unique characteristics and benefits. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most common apple rootstocks and what makes them unique.

A young fruit tree was planted on a bright Winter’s day.

Malling-Merton (M) series

  • The M series of apple rootstocks was developed in the UK and is widely used around the world. They are known for their vigorous growth, adaptability to different soil types, and resistance to diseases such as fire blight and woolly apple aphids. Some popular M-series rootstocks include M7, M9, M26, and M27.
M27: A very dwarfing rootstock that produces trees 4-7 feet tall. It requires permanent staking, good soil, regular watering, and weed control. It is suitable for small spaces, containers, step-overs, and pyramids.
M9: A dwarfing rootstock that produces trees 6-10 feet tall. It requires permanent staking, good soil, regular watering, and weed control. It is suitable for small spaces, cordons, espaliers, and spindle bushes.
M111: It is a semi-dwarfing rootstock that produces trees of moderate size, with an average height of 12-14 feet (3.6-4.3 meters) and a spread of 12-16 feet (3.6-4.9 meters). M111 rootstock is known for its vigor, which allows it to adapt to a wide range of soil types and growing conditions.
M26: A semi-dwarfing rootstock that produces trees 8-12 feet tall. It requires staking for the first few years, good soil, regular watering, and weed control. It is suitable for medium spaces, cordons, espaliers, and bush trees.

Geneva (G) series

  • The Geneva series of apple rootstocks were developed in the United States and are commonly used in North America. They are known for their dwarfing characteristics, which makes them ideal for backyard orchards or high-density plantings. Some popular G-series rootstocks include G30, G41, G210, and G935.
G30: This rootstock produces trees that are dwarfed and precocious, meaning they bear fruit at an early age. G30 is also known for producing high-quality fruit and having good resistance to fire blight.
G41: This rootstock is semi-dwarfing and produces trees with a moderate vigor. G41 is known for producing large fruit and having good resistance to fire blight and woolly apple aphids.
G210: This rootstock is semi-dwarfing and produces trees with a moderate to high vigor. G210 is known for its adaptability to a wide range of soil types and for producing high-quality fruit
G935: This rootstock produces trees that are dwarfed and precocious, similar to G30. However, G935 is also known for its good resistance to replant disease, which makes it a popular choice for orchards where apple trees have previously been grown.

Budagovsky (B) series

  • The Budagovsky series of apple rootstocks were developed in the former Soviet Union and are used extensively in Eastern Europe and Russia. They are known for their cold hardiness, resistance to drought, and adaptability to a wide range of soils. Some popular B-series rootstocks include B9, B118, B491, and B481.
Bud9: This rootstock produces trees that are very dwarfing, typically reaching a height of 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters) at maturity. Trees on Bud9 rootstock are known for their high level of productivity and for producing fruit of good quality.
Bud118: This rootstock is semi-dwarfing and produces trees that have moderate vigor. Trees on Bud118 rootstock are known for their high level of resistance to winter cold and drought.
Bud491: This rootstock produces trees that have moderate vigor and good productivity. Trees on Bud491 rootstock are known for their high level of resistance to soil-borne diseases such as apple replant disease.

Mark (MM) series

  • The Mark series of apple rootstocks were developed in Germany and are known for their strong resistance to soil-borne diseases such as Phytophthora and crown rot. They are also resistant to fire blight and woolly apple aphids. Some popular MM-series rootstocks include MM106, MM111, and MM7.
MM106: A semi-vigorous rootstock that produces trees 10-16 feet tall. It does not require staking but needs good soil, moderate watering, and weed control. It is suitable for large spaces, half-standard trees, and cider apples.
MM111: A vigorous rootstock that produces trees 14-20 feet tall. It does not require staking but needs good soil, moderate watering, and weed control. It is suitable for large spaces, standard trees, and cider apple.

Pajam (P) series

  • The Pajam series of apple rootstocks were developed in France and are known for their dwarfing characteristics, similar to the Geneva series. They are resistant to fire blight, woolly apple aphids, and crown rot, making them a popular choice for backyard orchards. Some popular P-series rootstocks include P22, P2, P18, and P16
P18: A standard rootstock that produces trees 20 feet or taller. It does not require staking but needs good soil, moderate watering, and weed control. It is suitable for very large spaces and traditional orchards
Pajam 2: This rootstock is also semi-dwarfing, but produces trees with slightly less vigor than Pajam 1. Trees on Pajam 2 rootstock are known for their high level of resistance to woolly apple aphids.

In addition to these main categories, there are also many other apple rootstocks available, each with its own unique characteristics and benefits. When choosing an apple rootstock, it is important to consider factors such as soil type, climate, disease resistance, and tree size.

Final Thoughts

Consulting with a local nursery or agricultural extension office can be helpful in selecting the right rootstock for your particular needs.

When choosing a rootstock for your apple tree, you need to consider your available space, your desired tree size and shape, your soil type and quality, your climate conditions, and your preferred maintenance level.

You also need to make sure that the scion variety is compatible with the rootstock you choose.

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