Apple Rootstock

Looking to graft your own apple trees? We're happy to offer rootstock!

While we have young stool beds growing, in the meantime we import rootstock from Oregon. Aside from the headache (paperwork and shipping) of importing and distance, we are very happy with our supplier's quality, and are happy to offer small scale and backyard operations with rootstock. Every August, we prepare a rootstock order for the following spring, and our order comes up on the pool truck with all the other Ontario orders. Because of this, we aren't able to guarantee ship dates with rootstock orders, as we are at the mercy of the nursery and pool truck; the shipment typically comes in March-April.

If you require more than 1000 rootstocks, we recommend importing it yourself.

We regularly offer the following rootstock varieties (other varieties may be available different years):

B9 - Dwarf:

• History: B9 (aka Bud 9 or Budagovsky 9) was developed at the Michurinsk College of Agriculture in Russia as part of a series of cold hardy rootstocks. It is a cross between M8 and Red Standard.
• Why We Use It: B9 is an extremely hardy variety that encourages early bearing and high yields. The red leaves and inner wood makes it easy to distinguish from the scionwood.
• Growth Habits: Dwarf, reaches 8-10ft tall, precocious, minimal suckering, requires permanent staking, suitable for espalier
• Disease Resistance: Resistant to fireblight and collar rot
• Graft Compatibility: Good

B10 - Dwarf, $0.20 royalties will be applied once the order is placed:

• History: B10 (aka Bud 10 or Budagovsky 10) was developed at the Michurinsk College of Agriculture in Russia as part of a series of cold hardy rootstocks. It is a cross between M27 and Robusta 5.
• Why We Use It: B10 is quite similar to B9 (see description above) but with a little more vigour and fireblight resistance.
• Growth Habits: Dwarf, reaches 8-10ft tall, precocious, minimal suckering, requires permanent staking, suitable for espalier
• Disease Resistance: Resistant to fireblight and collar rot
• Graft Compatibility: Good

G.41 - Dwarf, $0.30 royalties will be applied once the order is placed:

• History: G.41 (or Geneva 41) was developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva as a cross between M27 and Robusta 5. It was selected for its disease resistance, winter hardiness, good productivity, and minimal suckering and released in 1998. This variety is still relatively new and experimental so more information may be available in the future!
• Why We Use It:  This rootstock produces hardy, precocious, and productive trees that are resistant to several apple tree pests and diseases. The trees are also known for producing branches with wide crotch angles which is desirable in apple trees. However, the trees can be brittle so handle them with care and stake them immediately upon planting to provide extra support. 
• Canadian Hardiness Zone: 4
• Growth Habits: Dwarf, reaches 8-10ft tall, precocious, productive, minimal suckering, produces branches with wide angles ideal for fruit, trees tend to be brittle so require extra care when handling and should be staked immediately once planted and will require permanent support
• Disease Resistance: Very resistant to fireblight, rot, replant disease, and woolly apple aphid
• Graft Compatibility: Good but trees can be brittle at graft union which can lead to trees breaking prematurely

EMLA 26 - Dwarf/Semi-Dwarf:

• History: M26 was developed at the East Malling Research Station in England and is a cross between M9 and M16. In 1973, EMLA 26 was released as a virus-free clone of M26 and named EMLA after the East Malling and Long Ashton Research Stations that created it. It is considered a dwarfing rootstock although it is quite vigorous so the resulting trees are between dwarf and semi-dwarf height. It is commonly used around the world.
• Why We Use It: This rootstock produces a smaller tree that (depending on the area) doesn't need permanent staking like most dwarf rootstocks. It is very precocious and produces heavy crops.
• Growth Habits: Dwarf/semi-dwarf, reaches 8-12ft tall, very precocious, does not require permanent staking in sheltered locations, suitable for espalier, not particularly cold hardy
• Disease Resistance: Susceptible to to collar rot and fireblight
• Graft Compatibility: Compatibility issues with certain varieties including Golden Delicious and many triploid varieties

B118 - Semi-Dwarf:

• History: B118 (aka Budagovsky 118 and Bud118) was developed at the Michurinsk College of Agriculture in Russia as part of a series of cold hardy rootstocks. It is a cross between Moscow Pear, M8, and M9.
• Why We Use It: While we prefer EMLA 106 due to its superior graft compatibility, B118's excellent cold hardiness has made it our go-to for grafting our cold hardy semi-dwarf trees. It's red leaves and inner wood makes the rootstock much easier to distinguish from the scionwood.
• Growth Habits: Semi-dwarf, reaches 12-15ft tall, very cold hardy and vigorous
• Disease Resistance: Somewhat resistant to collar rot and fireblight
• Graft Compatibility: Medium - good take with certain cultivars

EMLA 106 - Semi-Dwarf:

• History: MM106 was released in 1932 as part of a joint breading program between the East Malling and Merton Research Stations. It is a cross between M2 and Northern Spy. In 1973, EMLA 106 was released as a virus-free clone of MM106 and named EMLA after the East Malling and Long Ashton Research Stations that created it. It is very commonly grown. 
• Why We Use It: EMLA 106 is our go-to rootstock when it comes to grafting semi-dwarf trees that are zone 4-5. It produces well and is decently vigorous, plus it has good graft compatibility.
• Canadian Hardiness Zone: 4
• Growth Habits: Semi-dwarf, reaches 12-15ft tall, nice balance of vigour and production, trees are well-anchored, suitable for most soil types
• Disease Resistance: Somewhat susceptible to moisture/collar rot
• Graft Compatibility: Good

EMLA 111 - Semi-Dwarf/Full-Size:

• History: MM111 was released in 1952 as part of a joint breading program between the East Malling and Merton Research Stations. It is a cross between Merton 793 and Northern Spy. In 1973, EMLA 111 was released as a virus-free clone of MM 111 and named EMLA after the East Malling and Long Ashton Research Stations that created it. It was commonly used in the mid-Atlantic and California before orchards switched to using dwarf rootstock to speed up production.
• Why We Use It: EMLA 111 produces well-anchored and vigorous trees that are hardy and tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. 
• Canadian Hardiness Zone: 4
• Growth Habits: Between semi-dwarf and full-size, reaches 14-20ft tall, tolerates wet, dry, and poor soils and encourages trees to start bearing at a young age, good anchorage.
• Disease Resistance: Resistant to collar rot and woolly apple aphid, and tolerant of fireblight. Moderate amount of suckering and burr knots. 
• Graft Compatibility: Good

G.969 - Semi-Dwarf, $0.30 royalties will be applied once the order is placed:

• History: G.969 (aka Geneva 969) was developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva by Jim Cummins. It was first created in 1976 as a cross between Ottawa 3 and Robusta 5. This variety is relatively new so more information may be available in the future! 
• Why We Use It: G.969 produces well-anchored and precocious trees that are resistant to several disease including fireblight. It generally has good cold hardiness and is considered a good option for growing weaker vigour varieties like Honeycrisp. It also produces minimal suckering and burr knots. 
• Canadian Hardiness Zone: 4
• Growth Habits: Semi-dwarf, produces a tree 12-15ft tall, precocious, good anchorage, minimal suckering and burr knots
• Disease Resistance: Resistant to fireblight, collar rot, and woolly apple aphid
• Graft Compatibility: G.969 generally has good graft compatibility but it recent tests have shown it may produce brittle graft unions when Chestnut Crab, Cox's Orange Pippin, Cortland, Fuji, Jonagold, Sansa, or Wickson Crab are chip budded on it. Other varieties may develop similar issues but have not been tested. Brittle graft unions do not appear to be a problem if the trees are grafted using the whip and tongue method. 

Antonovka - Full Size:

• History: Antonovka was developed by renowned Russian plant breeder I.V. Michurin and released in 1888. Although the fruit of this hardy variety is less popular outside of its homeland, it has been commonly used as rootstock due to its unique ability to stay almost true to type and its strong root system.
• Why We Use It: As a standard full-size rootstock, Antonovka became our go-to for full-size trees. The strong root system and decent cold hardiness makes it a good candidate for most locations.
• Canadian Hardiness Zone: 4
• Growth Habits: Full-size, reaches 16-20ft tall, very vigorous, produces a strong and deep root system which makes it fairly drought tolerant

If any varieties you are interested in have sold out, contact us to be added to our Spring 2026 request list!