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SEMI - DVjARF TREES 



Recently there has been renevred interest in semi-dwarf trees. They conimence 

 to bear earlier and are easier to prune, spray and harvest than trees on seedling 

 roots. Vfith seoii-dwarf trees a large proportion of the crop can be picked from 

 the ground and/or with a short step ladder. It is the purpose of this article to 

 discuss the classification of Mallirg apple rootstocks recommended for use in 

 Massachusetts orchards. In addition, yield data, planting distances and suggestea 

 olanting plans for semi-dwarf trees are presented. 



Rootstocks Recommended for Massachusetts 



1, Mailing VII and II 



These may be classified as semi-dwarfing stocks^ for trees on these stocks, 

 under our conditions, are approximately 60 per cent the size of a given variety 

 on a standard seedling rootstock. The size of tree depends considerable upon 

 the variety. More vigorous \-arieties, like Mcintosh, Macoun, and Northern Spy 

 are dwarfed less on VII than less vigorous varieties, like Cortland and Roioe, 



At the Geneva Experiment Station, it has been found that trees on II are 

 more vigorous than those on VII, At Aniherst, however, Mcintosh trees on VII are 

 more vigorous than those on II, The average tree spread of 11 year old trees on 

 VII and II is 21 feet 8 inches and 18 feet 7 inches respectively. Each average 

 was based on the tree spread of ten trees, 



2, Mailing I 



Trees on this rootstock are approximately 75 per cent the size of the same 

 variety when on a standard rootstock. Although Mailing I induces earlier bearing 

 in varieties worked on it and is productive on fertile, well drained soils, the 

 dwarfing effect is probably not enoufih for grorrers wanting a semi-dwarf tree, 



3, Mailing XIII 



Varieties on this stock do well in heavy soils having poor drainage. Trees on 



XIII are approximately 75 per cent the size of the same variety iThen on a standard 



stock. Growers planning to plant serai-dwarf trees on heavy, poorly drained soils 

 should consider XIII. 



On the basis of our exioerimental results obtained with serai -dwarf trees. Mail- 

 ing VII and II are the dwarfing stocks generally recommended for planting in Mass- 

 achusetts. 



Planting Distance 



