Bud 118 rootstock

General Fruit Growing
1

I am planting some apple trees next spring. I am looking at the different root stock and wanted to know how tall a tree on bud 118 will get.

2

Depends on some different variables such as scion variety, soil fertility, growing location, etcc… But generally in 16-18’ range.

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3

What would be a rootstock for a semi dwarf to be 12 ’ 14’ tall. I know there are a lot of variables that determine what size a tree gets. I live in zone 5a and am looking to add about 100 trees to our orchard. I am trying to figure out what trees I should plant but don’t want them to get real tall.

4

Yes, there are many variables. It would help if you have something now that you know the rootstock, scion, and tree size. That would make it easy to recommend something going forward. Or there are charts that give comparative sizes based on rootstock and scion vigor.

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5

We purchased the orchard a few years ago with no clue on how to grow apples. All the trees were planted in the early 1980’s. We have McIntosh that are 25’ tall and Jonathan’s that are 14’ tall. We have no idea what rootstock are on them

6

Here’s some info on apple rootstocks including vigor ratings. You are probably wanting M7 size for 12-14ft trees.

Also scion variety vigor makes a big difference. A weak variety like Goldrush would probably need a more vigorous rootstock than M7 to reach 12ft. A vigorous variety on strong soil might make 12-14+ft on M26 size.

http://www.homeorchardsociety.org/growfruit/apples/estimated-tree-vigor-for-apple-varieties/

7

I’m with fruitnut: a weak grower such as D’Arcy Spice will be going great guns if it gets over 10 foot tall in some conditions on Bud118. I’ve had D’Arcy seven years and it is nearly that tall now.
On the other hand, something vigorous: Chehalis, Harrison, Rambour Franc to name just three, would be enormous, likely over 28 feet tall and wide.
Look up Raintree and check their chart to give you another idea of relative sizes. It does not include Bud118, but Bud118 is comparable to MM111 in growth.
BTW, I chose Bud118 because it is supposed to be more precocious and productive than MM111.

Speaking of root stocks, some cultivars (Winston, Lord Lambourne, Liberty, Haralson) are so productive they over crop. You might wish to put them on Geneva 222, as it yields less than Gen935 while a comparable size.

8

See Geneva.202 and Geneva.935.

9

Yes, 202, I forget…