Description
Rome apples of all strains especially of the old fashioned kind are popular in our historic orchards. When folks have about three unknown kinds of apples in their old orchard, it is quite common that the apple they describe as their favorite, sweet and balanced, is a Rome. An attractive apple. Blooms late. Good for everything. Great keeper on and off the tree.
Choose rootstock type depending on availability:
Malus domestica Standard sized seedling rootstock. This is what trees were historically grafted on. These will be large trees that will grow for a century or more due to their cold hardiness and drought tolerance. Plant 25 feet or more apart.
M111 Semi Dwarf rootstock. 3/4 size of standard. A good compromise if you want a slightly smaller tree. Plant 15 feet or more apart.
M7 Semi Dwarf, Smaller than M111. Probably not as long lived, but produces sooner. Longer lived than M26. Plant 12 feet or more apart.
M26 Dwarf, Short lived (a few decades), fast producing, needs staked, not drought tolerant or as cold hardy, plant as close to 1-2 feet apart.
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