Apple Rootstock Info: MM.111 EMLA

Introduced in 1952 from a cross of Merton 793 x ‘Northern Spy’ by the John Innes Horticultural Institute and the East Malling Research Station in England. MM.111 EMLA is one of the more vigorous semi-dwarf rootstocks, producing a tree about 85 to 100% the size of seedling. It is resistant to wooly apple aphid and is quite tolerant to fire blight and crown and root rots. It is fairly winter hardy and produces moderate amounts of burr knots and root suckers. MM.111 EMLA produces a free-standing tree and does not need support, and it is more precocious than seedling and is fairly productive when trees are mature. During the 1970s and 80s MM.111 EMLA was the standard rootstock in the mid-Atlantic region and in California because tree survival was good and trees did not need support. MM.111 EMLA is being planted less heavily as commercial growers plant higher density orchards that require precocious dwarfing rootstocks.