Apple Tree Rootstock
 

Forms of Apple Tree Apple trees are extremely adaptable and can be grown in a variety of shapes. The key factor is the space you have available in your garden. The principal shapes grown today are listed below with the type of space they might occupy. Remember that size of the tree will also depend on the rootstock (see below)

 

Rootstocks
All apple trees sold nowadays in the UK and USA are made up from two quite separate parts which together form the complete tree. The lower part of the apple tree is called the rootstock - typically it is the the lowest 25cm (10ins) of the main trunk. This part controls the overall size of the tree, it does not affect the type or quality of the fruit produced. In general, the smaller the tree, the faster it will be to produce a full crop of fruit. After maybe four years, the larger trees catch up, and produce more fruit each year than the smaller trees.

The main body of the apple tree (above the rootstock) is called the 'scion' and this has been grafted onto the rootstock at the nursery. This top part of the tree controls the type of apple produced.

The commonly available rootstocks in the UK and USA are listed below. They are listed in size order, with the smallest first. The sizes quoted are approximate and are at maturity (roughly seven years old) for a bush shaped trees - tree size is primarily dependant on the rootstock, but is also affected by pruning methods, the apple variety and the fertility of the soil. Click on the more common rootstocks if you are interested in for more detailed information. 

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