Fruit Tree Guide
Apples
Understock: Dwarf (EM9) or Semi-Dwarf (MM26)
Apples are generally grown on several types of rootstocks. For most
locally grown fruit trees we refer to them as either dwarf or semi-dwarf
stock. The under stock, most widely used for dwarf Apple trees is EM9.
EM9 is one quarter the size of seedling-grown trees, it provides a productive
tree and is quite hardy. EM9 root can also be quite brittle so adequate
staking is required for the life of the tree. The semi-dwarf rootstock
most commonly used is MM26, which will produce a tree about half the
size of the seedling parent. MM26 will produce heavy fruiting trees
that are well anchored and quite hardy.
Pollination
Most varieties of apples are not self-fertile and require a pollinizer
for best fruit production. Pollinizer trees should bloom at the same
time as the trees they are to be pollinating. When using several different
varieties of apples make sure that the bloom periods of the apples are
the same. Those apples, which can be used as a pollinizer, will be labeled
as self-fertile.
General Hints
Apples like well-drained soil that contains adequate amounts of humus
such as compost. When planting, do not cover the bud union at the base
of the tree. If one covers this union the tree will root above the dwarfing
under stock and the dwarfing characteristics of the tree will be lost.
When planting, make sure to incorporate bone meal into the soil and
to follow up several weeks later with light applications of fruit tree
food, such as Excel 10-15-20 Fruit and Shade Tree Food that contains
minor elements.
Spacing
The spacing of the trees will vary depending upon the type of growing
arrangement to be used and the type of rootstock used. Generally, those
trees that are listed as dwarf trees can be trained on wires up to four
feet apart within the row. Try to plant the tree where it will be out
of the wind in early spring, as both cold temperatures and windy conditions
will impede pollination of the trees by bees.
Disease and Pest Control
Apples, like all plants, are susceptible to a variety of insect and
disease problems but most of these can be avoided by proper care and
some preventative measures. In late fall and early spring, applications
of lime sulphur/dormant oil to the trees will help eradicate a number
of problems, such as over wintering insects, mites and fungus spores.
Lime sulphur/dormant oil spraying is relatively safe and is done when
there is no foliage on the trees. Clean up all fallen leaves in the
fall and remove any broken or wounded branches to prevent infection
of the apple trees. Insect pests to watch for are scales, aphids, spanworms
and mites, while the most common diseases are Anthracnose canker, European
canker, powdery mildew and scab. Many new varieties are now either scab
free or scab resistant and these are the better varieties if one has
a problem with scab. Young trees of McIntosh, Northern Spy and Transparent
are susceptible to Anthracnose canker and should be sprayed with copper
in the fall. Gravenstein, King, McIntosh, Red Delicious, and Spartan
are very susceptible to European canker and should also be sprayed with
copper in the fall.
Pear Trees
Most European pear varieties are self-sterile and will not produce fruit
unless pollinated by another European pear variety. Most pears are suitable
pollinizers for other varieties that bloom at the same time, which all
of the varieties listed will do. Unlike other fruit trees, pear flowers
contain only a small amount of nectar, which is low in sugar. The placement
of the trees is very important so that they are out of the wind during
blooming time and that they have adequate access to sunlight in early
spring to allow bees to pollinate the fruit. Also do not place other
flowering plants nearby, as these may detract the bees from the job
of pollinating the pear trees themselves.
Cherries, Peaches, Apricots, Nectarines and Plums
Cherry trees are normally budded onto one of two different under stocks,
either Colt or Mazzard F12/1. Colt is a dwarfing under stock with a
finer root system good for heavier soils and is the variety we use as
the under stock for our cherries. Two varieties of cherries are genetic
dwarfs, which means the tree itself will be one half the size of the
parent tree regardless of its rootstock. The two genetic dwarf cherries
grown are Compact Stella and Compact Lambert. Plum trees are normally
budded onto Myrobalan rootstock as this variety withstands a wide range
of soil conditions and is compatible with both the European and Japanese
plums. There are also several varieties of peaches and nectarines, which
are also genetic dwarfs and are available in patio tree forms as well.
Site Selection
All stone fruits will produce and grow best in well-drained soil. Heavy,
poorly drained soil will cause the trees to stress resulting in far
more instances of disease and insect problems. Strong winds in early
spring will hamper pollenization of the trees by bees and will result
in poor fruit production.
Disease and Insect Pests
If one plants stone fruit in well drained soil in a sunny location the
incidence of disease and other problems will be very low. Both cherries
and plums should be sprayed with lime sulfur/dormant oil in the winter
months as a preventative spray to kill over- wintering insects and fungus.
Dormant copper sprays on cherries and plums will help eliminate several
over wintering fungal diseases. There are several insect pests, which
can also attack the trees, but they are infrequent and should be sprayed
only when necessary.
