Rootstocks explained

Fruit Type Rootstock Size Category Ultimate Height Description & Best Use
Apple M26 Dwarfing 2.5m – 3m Ideal for small gardens or large containers. Very productive for its size. Needs permenant staking
Apple M116 Semi-Dwarfing 3m – 4m High disease resistance (Phytophthora). Good middle-ground. Stake for 2 years.
Apple MM106 Semi-Dwarfing 3.5m – 4.5m The most popular UK rootstock. Very reliable, heavy cropping, and self-supporting after staking for 2 years.
Apple MM111 Semi-Vigorous 4m – 5m Extremely hardy, drought-tolerant and moderately tolerant of waterlogging too. Great for poorer soils or windier sites. Stake for 2 years.
Apple M25  Vigorous 5m+ Used for traditional “Standard” orchards. Creates a massive, long-lived tree. Stake for 2 years.
Pear Quince ‘Adam’s’ Semi-Dwarfing 2.5m – 3.5m Early fruiting and keeps the tree manageable. Stake for 2 years.
Pear Pyrus communis Vigorous 5m – 6m+ Wild Pear stock. Creates very large, long-lived trees; very cold hardy. Stake for 2 years.
Plum Krymsk 2 Dwarfing 2.5m – 3m Perfect for small gardens. Increases fruit size and is very cold-tolerant. Stake for 2 years.
Plum St. Julian A Semi-Vigorous 3.5m – 4.5m The industry standard. Compatible with plums, gages, and apricots. Stake for 2 years.
Cherry Gisela 5 Semi-Dwarfing 2.5m – 3m Great for small gardens. Encourages very early fruiting (often in year 2). Stake for 2 years.
Cherry Colt Semi-Vigorous 3.5m – 5m Robust and productive. Tolerates poorer soils better than Gisela. Stake for 2 years.