Cherry Rootstocks

Dwarf

Gisela 3

The most dwarfing in the Gisela series of rootstocks, it is about 30-35% of Mazzard at maturity. It is widely adapted to soil types and very precocious. This rootstock promotes vigorous growth the first year or two and then slows once fruiting starts. Great for growing under tunnels and super-high density plantings.

Gisela 5

45% to 50% the size of Mazzard, Gisela 5 is very precocious with good winter hardiness. Gisela 5 must have good fertile soils and supplemental irrigation. Excellent for low-productive varieties. Well suited for pedestrian orchards and under tunnels as well as super high density plantings. Anchorage is adequate.

Gisela 6

The most widely planted dwarfing cherry rootstock in the US. In the eastern US, it produces a tree approximately 60% the size of Mazzard. In the western US, 70% to 90% of Mazzard, though easily managed. A precocious and productive rootstock, it is winter hardy and adapted to a wide range of soil types. Fair anchorage.

Gisela 12

Under eastern growing conditions, Gisela 12 produces a tree approximately 55% to 60% of Mazzard. Like Gisela 6, trees are somewhat larger under western conditions. Actual tree vigor and size can be variable depending upon cultivar vigor. Gisela 12 is very productive and precocious and is adapted to a wide range of soils as well as hotter climates. Productive varieties, such as Sweetheart, perform well on this rootstock. Good anchorage.

Krymsk 5

Similar in size to Gisela 6, though somewhat less precocious, Krymsk 5 is adapted to a wide range of soil types. Trees are well anchored and winter hardy with low to moderate suckering. Krymsk 5 is sensitive to prune dwarf virus and necrotic ring spot virus.

Krymsk 6

Tree size is 65% to 70% of Mazzard with low to moderate suckering. Krymsk 6 is winter hardy and adapted to a wide range of soil types. Like Krymsk 5, it is sensitive to prune dwarf virus and necrotic ring spot virus.

Corette Series

The Corette Series is a new set of rootstocks released from Michigan State University. In early evaluations these rootstocks all appear to be quite dwarfing, with less vigor than Gisela® 5. They are also highly precocious and productive.

Vigorous to Semi-Vigorous

Mahaleb

Producing a tree size approximately 90% of Mazzard, Mahaleb is best suited to light, sandy soils and does poorly in heavy soils. Mahaleb is incompatible with some sweet cherry cultivars. Excellent anchorage.

Maxma 14

More productive than Mazzard, Maxma 14 is adapted to a wide range of soils and has good anchorage. It is also resistant to iron-induced chlorosis caused by calcareous soils. Similar in size to Mazzard.

Mazzard

More tolerant of heavy soils than Mahaleb, Mazzard should not be planted on wet or poorly-drained soils. A vigorous, standard-size tree, Mazzard is well anchored and has not had the compatibility issues of Mahaleb. It is susceptible to crown gall and bacterial canker with moderate resistance to phytophthora.

MXM 60

More productive than Mazzard and similar in vigor, MXM 60 is compatible with both sweet and tart cherry varieties. A hybrid of Mazzard and Mahaleb, it is compatible with a wide range of soils. MXM 60 is cold hardy, drought tolerant and has excellent anchorage. It has moderate resistance to phytophthora and crown gall and has shown some resistance to bacterial canker.

Colt

Sensitive to droughty soils and cold winter temperatures, Colt is a low productive rootstock similar in size to Mazzard. It has shown resistance to bacterial canker and phytophthora but is susceptible to crown gall. It is resistant to cherry stem pitting.