Rootstocks for cherry trees

Most cherry trees are produced by grafting the required variety (the "scion") on to a rootstock. The rootstock helps to control the size of the mature cherry tree. The following table lists cherry tree rootstocks in ascending order of size of the mature tree.

The information given below includes approximate sizes, however note that scion mature size is greatly affected by soil conditions, the scion variety's natural vigour, and climate.

Medium	Large	Very Large
Gisela 5, Krymsk 6	Krymsk 5, Gisela 6, Colt, Krymsk 7	Mahaleb, F12/1 (Mazzard)

Gisela 5(Small)

Gisela 5 has rapidly established itself as the rootstock of choice for both gardeners and commercial growers, particularly in Europe. Roughly equivalent to the apple M26 rootstock.

Mature height:	3m
Age starts fruiting:	3 years
Spacing:	3m / 10ft apart
Staking:	Temporary stake required
Good features:	The best cherry rootstock for the European gardener Some resistance to mildew
Problems:	Some susceptibility to fireblight Susceptible to wooly aphid
Suitable forms:	Small bush, Fan
Requirements:	Prefers well-drained soils Regular irrigation and feeding required Ground around the tree should be kept weed-free (e.g. mulched).

Krymsk 6(Semi-vigorous)

Developed from the sour cherry (Prunus cerasus). Produces a tree about 75% of the size of F12/1, smaller than Krymsk 5 and roughly similar to Gisela 6.

Mature height:	4m
Age starts fruiting:	3 years
Spacing:	4m / 14ft apart
Staking:	Temporary stake required
Good features:	Cold hardy Tolerates hot climates better than some other cherry rootstocks Suitable for a wide range of soils, including some tolerance of poorly-drained soils
Suitable forms:	Small bush, Fan
Requirements:	Regular irrigation and feeding required but not as demanding as Gisela 5 Ground around the tree should be kept weed-free (e.g. mulched).

Gisela 6(Semi-vigorous)

Similar characteristics to Gisela 5 but able to tolerate less-good soil conditions. Produces a tree about 75% of the size of F12/1. Roughly equivalent to the apple MM106 rootstock.

Mature height:	4m
Age starts fruiting:	3 years
Spacing:	4m / 14ft apart
Staking:	Temporary stake required
Good features:	Similar to Gisela 5 but distinctly larger Some resistance to mildew Encourages precocity in the scion variety
Problems:	Some susceptibility to fireblight Susceptible to wooly aphid
Suitable forms:	Small bush, Fan
Requirements:	Regular irrigation and feeding required but not as demanding as Gisela 5 Ground around the tree should be kept weed-free (e.g. mulched). Prefers well-drained soils

Krymsk 5(Large semi-vigorous)

A new cold-hardy rootstock from Russia. Similar size to Mahaleb and about 80% of the size of F12/1 - and very similar to Gisela 6. Becoming very popular.

Mature height:	4m-5m / 12ft-16ft
Age starts fruiting:	4 years
Spacing:	5m / 16ft apart
Staking:	Not required
Good features:	Cold hardy Tolerates hot climates better than some other cherry rootstocks Encourages precocity in the scion variety
Suitable forms:	Half-standard, Bush, Large fan

Colt(Large semi-vigorous)

The first semi-vigorous rootstock that became available for cherry trees. Roughly equivalent to the apple MM111 rootstock.

Mature height:	4m-5m / 12ft-16ft
Age starts fruiting:	4 years
Spacing:	5m / 16ft apart
Staking:	Not required
Good features:	Some resistance to collar-rot Some resistance to bacterial canker
Problems:	Incompatible with some cherry cultivars Poor soils Not cold-hardy in North American conditions
Suitable forms:	Half-standard, Bush, Large fan
Requirements:	Ground around the tree can be grassed after the first few years

Krymsk 7(Large semi-vigorous)

A new cold-hardy rootstock from Russia. Similar size to Mahaleb and about 90% of the size of F12/1.

Mature height:	4m-5m / 12ft-16ft
Age starts fruiting:	4 years
Spacing:	5m / 16ft apart
Staking:	Not required
Good features:	Excellent cold-hardiness Cold hardy Suitable for a wide range of soils, including some tolerance of poorly-drained soils
Suitable forms:	Half-standard, Bush, Large fan
Requirements:	Ground around the tree can be grassed after the first few years

Mahaleb(Very large / very-vigorous)

Mahaleb rootstocks are virus-free clonal form of a species of wild cherry, and thus produce a large tree, but somewhat smaller than Mazzard. Widely used in Europe and North America.

Mature height:	5m-6m / up to 20ft
Age starts fruiting:	5 years+
Spacing:	7m / 25ft apart
Staking:	Not required
Good features:	Suitable for most soils and conditions Produces a well-anchored tree, as found in traditional cherry orchards Better drought-tolerance than F12.1 More cold-hardy than F12.1
Problems:	Picking and other maintenance tasks requires a ladder Not easy to protect fruit from birds and bad weather Sites which are prone to flooding / poor drainage
Suitable forms:	Standard tree
Requirements:	Ground around the tree can be grassed after the first few years

F12/1 (Mazzard)(Very large / very-vigorous)

F12.1 is a virus-free clonal form of the wild sweet cherry (often known as a Mazzard), and thus produces a full-size tree. It is widely used in Europe and North America.

Mature height:	6m+ / 20ft+
Age starts fruiting:	5 years+
Spacing:	7m / 25ft apart
Staking:	Not required
Good features:	Suitable for most soils and conditions Produces a well-anchored tree, as found in traditional cherry orchards Some resistance to bacterial canker
Problems:	Not as cold-hardy as other vigorous cherry rootstocks Poorly-drained sites (although more tolerant than Mahaleb) Picking and other maintenance tasks requires a ladder Not easy to protect fruit from birds and bad weather
Suitable forms:	Standard tree
Requirements:	Ground around the tree can be grassed after the first few years