Apple tree rootstock sprouting...hmmm...

[puglogic]

For those who have grown fruit trees: (an area in which I have little experience)

I purchased a couple of apple trees from a nursery to supplement the other trees we're using to create a little orchard in the backyard.

Of all of the trees, all look healthy, except one's behaving weirdly: It is obviously one type of apple grafted onto some other kind of rootstock (another apple, or crabapple, or whatever they use) The tree looks healthy enough but the rootstock is sending up sprouts like crazy.

What does this mean? The tree is not dead or dying, which is one reason I could think of for this behavior. What else could be going on?

[ApatheticNoMore]

Is the rest of the tree (above the graft) also producing - leaves at least? I think if the part above the graft is alive you are good, you just probably have an overly agressive rootstock. I'd cut back all sprouts produced by the rootstock since that's not the growth you want and it can take all the vitality away from the desired growth above the graft. Of course if the part above the graft isn't producing anything the graft may have failed. All apples are grafted, otherwise they will not produce true to parent.

[CathyA]

I agree with what ApatheticNoMore said. Some trees just seem to make more suckers than others.

[puglogic]

Ahhh, thanks you two. No, the rest of the tree is super-healthy. It just threw me that there's this ONE tree (out of like 6) that is doing this. Must just be a different rootstock that has more of a penchant for sending up suckers.

[CathyA]

Good luck with your trees Pug! I hope you have many years with lots of apples!

[Rosemary]

If it's crabapple rootstock, that would explain it -- we have a lot of crabapple trees in our yard (planted by a previous owner) and they send up suckers all over the place... even a couple of yards from the trunk of the tree.

[Tussiemussies]

Good luck with your orchard. Always wanted to try that myself!