Guide to fruit tree rootstocks, by species.
Why this guide to fruit tree rootstocks?
Choosing the right rootstock is a crucial step when creating or renewing an orchard. It determines the mature size of your tree, how quickly it comes into fruit, its longevity, and how well it adapts to your soil type. It is one of the foundations of a successful planting project. The rootstock should always be chosen according to your expectations and the constraints of your soil.
What is a rootstock?
The rootstock is the lower part of a fruit tree, the part that provides the root system. Most fruit trees are grafted because this is the only reliable way to propagate them true to type. Different rootstocks have therefore been selected for their specific characteristics, turning the need to graft into an opportunity to adapt fruit trees to a wide range of soils and growing conditions.
How to choose a fruit tree rootstock
✅ According to the desired vigour
If you want a small mature tree, choose a low-vigour rootstock. If you want a larger tree, choose a progressively more vigorous rootstock. Understanding the mature size of the tree is essential.
For example, if you choose a very vigorous rootstock but want to keep an apple tree at only 2 metres high, you may be disappointed. A tree that is too vigorous for the pruning it receives will often produce excessive vegetative growth and may fruit poorly.
You should therefore choose the rootstock according to the final size and form you want for the tree.
✅ According to the soil type
Some soils are not suitable for certain rootstocks. The main points to watch are usually limestone content and drainage.
No plant truly benefits from excessive limestone or from poorly drained soil, but some rootstocks tolerate these conditions better than others.
If your soil is chalky or has a high pH, choose a rootstock that tolerates calcareous soils. A common sign of poor adaptation is chlorosis: the leaves become very pale because the tree struggles to absorb nutrients properly.
If your soil seems very wet, it is essential to choose a rootstock that tolerates root asphyxia. Heavy soils are generally more asphyxiating than sandy soils, although there are exceptions. In general, water should not remain visible at the soil surface.
✅ According to climatic hardiness
If your winters are very severe, regularly below -20°C, the hardiness of the rootstock becomes an important factor. If the trunk at ground level is damaged by frost, the whole aerial part of the tree may decline.
✅ According to graft compatibility
Some graft combinations do not work. As a general rule, pear trees are compatible with quince rootstocks, but some varieties, such as Williams, are not. It is therefore important to choose a nursery that takes these compatibility issues seriously.
Sometimes incompatibilities only appear after several years. They may result in unexplained decline, weak graft unions, breakage at the graft point, halted growth or very poor development.
Comparative tables of fruit tree rootstocks by species
Below you will find comparative tables of rootstocks by fruit species: apple, pear, plum, cherry, peach, apricot, almond, persimmon, quince, citrus, chestnut, medlar, nashi, walnut and grapevine. The tables include vigour, mature size, hardiness and key characteristics.
Quick access: Apple | Pear | Plum | Cherry | Peach | Apricot | Almond | Persimmon | Quince | Citrus | Chestnut | Medlar | Nashi | Walnut | Grapevine
Apple tree rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M9 | Low | 2–3 m | -22°C | Very widely used in intensive orchards |
| M106 | Medium | 3–4 m | -20°C | Well-drained soils, tolerates drought |
| M116 | Medium | 3–4 m | -22°C | Tolerates wet and dry conditions, good anchorage |
| MM111 | Strong | 5–6 m | -25°C | Suitable for poor soils, long lifespan |
| Seedling | Very strong | 6–8 m | -30°C | Very long lifespan, slow to come into fruit |
| G11 | Low | 2–3 m | -24°C | Fire blight resistance, productive |
| G41 | Low | 2.5–3.5 m | -25°C | Good resistance to root diseases |
| G935 | Low | 2.5–3.5 m | -24°C | High productivity, very uniform |
| G202 | Medium | 3.5–4 m | -24°C | Good compromise, adaptable |
Pear tree rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quince MC | Low | 2–3 m | -18°C | Very productive |
| BA29 | Low | 2.5–3.5 m | -20°C | Tolerates calcareous soils |
| Pyrodwarf | Medium | 3–4 m | -20°C | Tolerates fire blight |
| Seedling pear | Strong | 5–7 m | -25°C | Excellent longevity |
Plum tree rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myrobalan | Strong | 4–6 m | -20°C | Good general compatibility |
| Myrobalan 29C | Low | 3–4 m | -20°C | For calcareous soils |
| St Julien A | Medium | 3.5–5 m | -22°C | Wide compatibility |
| Adaptabil® | Medium | 3–4.5 m | -21°C | Good vigour, quick establishment |
| Krymsk 86 | Medium | 3–5 m | -25°C | Drought tolerant |
Cherry tree rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colt | Medium | 4–5 m | -20°C | Good compatibility, not very suitable for calcareous soils |
| MaxMa 14 | Low | 3–4 m | -22°C | For intensive orchards, good anchorage |
| Gisela 5 | Low | 2.5–3.5 m | -25°C | Very productive, early cropping |
| Gisela 6 | Medium | 3.5–4.5 m | -25°C | Good uniformity, suitable for modern orchards |
| Tabel® Edabriz | Low | 3–4 m | -24°C | Very suitable for flat-trained or espalier forms |
| St Lucie | Low | 2.5–3.5 m | -23°C | Excellent affinity, good for dry and calcareous soils |
| Seedling cherry | Very strong | 6–8 m | -30°C | Slow to come into fruit, very long-lived |
Peach tree rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GF 677 | Strong | 5–6 m | -18°C | Vigorous, suitable for calcareous soils |
| Montclar | Medium | 4–5 m | -17°C | Good affinity |
| St Julien A | Medium | 3.5–5 m | -22°C | Wide compatibility |
| Rootpac® R | Low | 3–4 m | -20°C | Good tolerance of calcareous soils |
| Barrier® | Medium | 4–5 m | -17°C | Resistant to root asphyxia |
Apricot tree rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GF 677 | Strong | 5–6 m | -20°C | Good affinity |
| Myrobalan | Strong | 5–6 m | -20°C | Wide compatibility |
| St Julien A | Medium | 4–5 m | -22°C | Used in heavy soils |
| Montclar | Strong | 5–6 m | -18°C | Good growth |
| Cadaman® | Strong | 5–6 m | -16°C | For asphyxiating soils |
| Adaptabil® | Medium | 4–5 m | -21°C | Versatile |
Almond tree rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GF 677 | Strong | 5–6 m | -18°C | Vigorous, suitable for calcareous soils |
| Montclar | Medium | 4–5 m | -17°C | Correct affinity |
| St Julien A | Medium | 3.5–5 m | -22°C | Versatile |
| Rootpac® R | Low | 3–4 m | -20°C | Tolerates wet soils |
Persimmon rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diospyros lotus | Strong | 6–8 m | -20°C | Very hardy |
| Diospyros virginiana | Medium | 4–6 m | -25°C | Excellent hardiness |
| Diospyros kaki | Strong | 6–8 m | -15°C | Not used as a rootstock |
Quince rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MC | Low | 2–3 m | -18°C | Fast fruiting |
| BA29 | Low | 2.5–3.5 m | -20°C | Good tolerance of calcareous soils. The most widely used in nurseries. |
| Sydo | Low | 2.5–3 m | -18°C | Very low vigour |
Citrus rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poncirus trifoliata | Low | 2–3 m | -20°C | Very hardy, slow growth |
| Flying Dragon | Very low | 1.5–2.5 m | -22°C | Dwarf form, ideal for pots |
| FA5 | Low | 2–3 m | -13°C | Good affinity, acidic soil |
| C4475 | Medium | 3–4 m | -16°C | Resistance to calcareous soils |
Chestnut rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marsol | Strong | 15 m+ | -20°C | Very productive |
| Marsol seedling | Strong | 15 m+ | -22°C | Good hardiness |
| Castanea sativa seedling | Strong | 15 m+ | -25°C | Used in forest orchards |
Medlar rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seedling | Strong | 4–6 m | -25°C | Good vigour, hardy |
| Hawthorn | Medium | 3–4 m | -23°C | Good compatibility, slow growth |
| BA29 | Low | 2.5–3.5 m | -20°C | Tolerates calcareous soils, reduced vigour |
Nashi rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pyrus calleryana | Medium | 3–5 m | -25°C | Good compatibility, depending on cultivar |
| Pyrus communis | Medium | 4–6 m | -25°C | Partial compatibility, depending on variety |
| Pyrodwarf | Low | 3–4 m | -20°C | Good vigour, uniform |
Walnut rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juglans regia seedling | Strong | 10–12 m | -25°C | Very long lifespan |
| Black walnut | Strong | 8–10 m | -25°C | Good root development, vigorous |
Grapevine rootstocks
| Rootstock | Vigour | Mature size | Hardiness | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SO4 | Medium | Depending on pruning system | -18°C | Good vigour, fresh soils |
| 1103 Paulsen | Strong | Depending on pruning system | -17°C | Good drought tolerance |
| 3309 C | Medium | Depending on pruning system | -19°C | Good balance in well-drained soils |
| Riparia Gloire | Low | Depending on pruning system | -20°C | Rich soils, low vigour |
Further information
You can find more information about rootstocks in the following documents and resources:
Pear rootstocks – Agroscope Switzerland
Apple rootstocks – GAB 65
Frequently asked questions
What is a rootstock?
A rootstock is the lower part of a fruit tree onto which a selected fruit variety is grafted. It influences vigour, soil adaptation, hardiness and productivity.
How do you choose the right rootstock?
The choice depends on the soil, such as calcareous, clay, wet or well-drained soil; the climate, including cold, wet or dry conditions; the desired vigour, such as standard, half-standard or low-stem trees; and the compatibility with the grafted fruit variety.
Can one species be grafted onto the rootstock of another species?
In some cases, yes. For example, pear can be grafted onto quince, and nashi can be grafted onto Pyrus calleryana. However, compatibility must always be checked to avoid graft union problems or reduced tree longevity. Compatibility should be assessed case by case.
Can the rootstock be changed after a fruit tree has been planted?
Unfortunately, no. Once the tree has been planted, it is too late to change the rootstock. This is why it is so important to choose the right one at the time of purchase. We often meet customers who are disappointed by the excessive size of their fruit tree. They then try to prune it hard to reduce its height, but this often stimulates excessive vigour and can stop the tree from fruiting properly.