| Characteristic | Detail | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rootstock | M.26 |
Resulted from a cross between M.16 and M.9 in 1929, at the East Malling Research Station, Maidstone, Kent, England. Traditionally considered a dwarf rootstock, but is one of the more vigorous dwarfing rootstocks. M.26 is grown widely throughout the world and is included as a “standard” in many rootstock trials. M.26 is precocious and very productive, produces many burrknots, and is susceptible to crown rot and fire blight. In a joint effort to produce virus |
Interstem Apple Trees
Because many dwarfing rootstocks have less than the desired level of cold resistance and trees on all dwarfing rootstocks require support, dwarf rootstocks are sometimes used as interstems to combine the desirable characteristics of a vigorous understock and the dwarfing interstem.
Interstem trees consist of three parts:
- A vigorous rootstock (usually MM.111 or MM.106)
- A dwarfing (usually M.9 or M.27) interstem is grafted to the rootstock. The interstem is usually about 6” long, but additional dwarfing can be obtained by
Effect of Wind on Apple Trees
Strong wind, especially wind associated with tropical storms that saturate the soil, can cause fruit trees to lean and sometimes be totally uprooted. Due to small and brittle root systems, dwarfing rootstocks tend to be prone to wind damage.
Susceptibility to wind damage appears to be related to the combination of rootstock and scion cultivar. Some brittle cultivars, such as ‘Gala’ and ‘Golden Delicious’, when propagated on brittle rootstocks, such as G.30 or M.26, may snap at the bud union. …
I want to espalier an apple tree along a garage wall. What rootstock should I use?
Espalier is a technique of pruning and training apples in two dimensions, usually against a flat surface such as a wall or fence. The rootstock that you choose needs to induce enough vigor in the scion cultivar so that growth occurs but does not produce a tree with too much vigor. The environment where you are located will alter this decision. The colder, northern areas of the United States — that is, USDA hardiness zones 3 and 4 (look up …