Released: March 08, 2005

Three Apple Varieties on One Tree Can Bring Benefits, Drawbacks

MANHATTAN, Kan. – A single tree that produces multiple kinds of apples can be a unique attraction in garden or landscape. It can expand the variety of fruits possible to grow in a limited space.

But, gardeners need to buy such trees with their eyes wide open. Trees that produce multiple varieties can also have drawbacks, according to Ward Upham, horticulturist with Kansas State University Research and Extension.

“The ‘secret’ to such trees isn’t anything new or exotic. It’s simply grafting,” Upham said. “All apple trees on the market now are grafted. In almost every case, their rootstock variety is selected for its dwarfing habit. Then the scion – the part that’s grafted onto the rootstock – determines the variety or varieties of apple that the tree produces.”

For example, multiple grafts are why one tree can produce jonathan, red delicious AND golden delicious apples.

The horticulturist said the selected varieties can lengthen the apple harvest season. They can provide a mix of tart and sweet. They can combine “eating” with “cooking” varieties.

Even so, other factors prospective buyers should consider before investing include:

* Do all the varieties have equal disease resistance? If not, protecting the susceptible fruits will unnecessarily expose the more resistant fruits to pesticides.

* Do the varieties vary in vigor? If not, the stronger may very well crowd the weaker.

“Sometimes caring for a multiple fruit producer can feel a lot like you’re having to manage three separate trees. You should take that into account, too,” Upham said. “Beyond that, we recommend that fruit trees be pruned every year while they’re dormant – usually just before they leaf out. So, whoever prunes a multiple-variety tree had better be able recognize the individual grafts. Otherwise, someone may prune off an entire variety, thinking it looks misshapen or spindly, compared to the rest of the tree.”

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Kathleen Ward
kward@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News