Modern cherry production is a maze of options for you to navigate. Knowing which varieties to put on which roots to get the highest yield and best quality (and returns) per acre is no easy task.
Some roots need impart precocity to get the scion to produce enough fruit, while that same root can cause issues of overproduction in other scions. This is as much science as it is art and experience.
Work With Tree Connection
Tree Connection is out in the fields and in the research nurseries worldwide looking for and bringing to you the best genetics for growing cherries to meet your goals and challenges.
Please review the information here, but also feel free to call and talk with us about the latest news and observations from the fields as you make these major decisions for your business.
Cherry Rootstocks
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Colt | In Pacific NW irrigated orchards Colt produces a vigorous tree that is similar in size to Mazzard with similar low precocity. Also in the Northwest, Colt performs well in replant situations where cherries follow cherries on non-fumigated sites. It is not cold hardy. It has shown resistance to Phytophthora root rot and gopher damage, but is susceptible to crown gall caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens; resists bacterial canker. tolerates wet heavy soils better than Mahaleb and Gisela 5, drought sensitive, slight to not dwarfing under California irrigated conditions. |
| Gisela® 3 | This most dwarfing of the Gisela roots will produce a tree of about 40 to 45% of Mazzard. Should be planted in deep fertile soils. Gisela 3 provides high early yields and when intensively pruned and managed can produce high-quality fruit. |
| Gisela® 5 | This rootstock produces a very precocious tree approximately half the size of trees grown on Mazzard rootstock. It produces an open, spreading tree with wide angles. It is quite virus tolerant and does well in heavy soil. Trees grown on G5 may need to be supported. Some suckering may occur depending on growing conditions. It is very hardy and produces well. It is compatible with most varieties. |
| Gisela® 6 | This moderately vigorous rootstock will produce a tree about 70% of Mazzard in the NW. Gisela 6 is well suited for a wide range of soil types from light to heavy; however, good drainage is essential. Anchorage can be a problem, especially on windy sites, although most growers in the PNW do not provide support. It is very precocious and needs to be well pruned and managed throughout it’s life to produce consistently, especially with fruitful varieties like Sweetheart, Lapins and Chelan. This precocity makes it an ideal partner for low production varieties such as Bing, Skeena and Regina. |
| Gisela® 12 | Gisela 12 generally produces a tree with slightly more vigor than Gisela 6 when combined with Regina and several other varieties, but it exhibits slightly less vigor with Bing. Gisela 12 is both precocious and productive, producing heavy early crops, with full production possible by the fifth leaf. Good fruit size and quality is possible with proper pruning. Gisela 12 is adapted to a wide range of soils and is somewhat better anchored than Gisela 6 although there have been some reports of trees leaning in the wind. The tree structure is open and spreading and new branches form readily. |
| Krymsk® 5 (cv. VSL-2) USPP#15,723 | Slightly larger than G12 in the Pacific NW, this very cold hardy, heat and drought tolerant tree is well suited to soils that are either sandy or heavy. Well anchored roots help it perform well in windy locations. Sensitive to the pollen borne ILAR viruses. Krymsk 5 appears to be less sensitive to Bacterial Canker than Gisela 6 or Colt. For more information on Krymsk, visit krymskrootstock.com. |
| Krymsk® 6 (cv. LC-52) USPP#16,114 | Very similar in vigor and precocity to G6, but less likely to overset fruit. Reduces tree size by 20% to 30% compared to those grown on Mazzard. Well adapted to both cold and hot climates as well as heavier soils. Trees are well anchored, with low-to-moderate root suckering. Tree form is good, with wide crotch angles. Sensitive to Prunus ringspot & Prunus dwarf virus (ILAR viruses). For more information on Krymsk, visit krymskrootstock.com. |
| Krymsk® 7 (cv. Elta) USPP#16,353 | Similar precocity and vigor to Mahaleb. Cherry trees on Krymsk 7 tolerate high temperatures. Compared with Mahaleb, Krymsk 7 is more tolerant of soil moisture extremes. Krymsk 7 is well suited to varieties needing improved precocity over Colt and Mazzard. Fruit maturity may be advanced by 1 to 3 days relative to Mazzard. Krymsk 7 is not sensitive to the pollen spread ILAR viruses. It is cold hardy and stress tolerant. Krymsk 7 is adapted to a wide range of soil and growing conditions. For more information on Krymsk, visit krymskrootstock.com. |
| Mahaleb | Performs in deep soils with good drainage. This rootstock is somewhat dwarfing, cold hardy and precocious. Deep rooted. Not recommended for heavy soils or areas with high water tables. It is very sensitive to wet soils and a lack of oxygen. |
| MaxMa 14® | Maxma 14 is a slightly dwarfing rootstock for sweet cherries, it is more vigorous in fertile loamy soils. Induces early heavy bearing; crop management may be needed for productive varieties in early years. Good tolerance to wet soils, also performs well in calcareous soils. Resistant to bacterial canker and nematodes. Well anchored, very little suckering. |
| Mazzard | A fibrous root system makes Mazzard a good choice for wet and heavy soils. Mazzard is the most popular cherry rootstock grown in North America. It is generally more vigorous than Mahaleb, especially in poorer soils. |
