Hi, We have just recently decided that we would like to plant a couple of fruit trees. We live in Tsawwassen and do not have a large area to plant trees in. I had thought that dwarf fruit trees would work great. I would like to know if it is possible to get a dwarf cherry tree grafted with 2 or 3 varities? Also, can a bing or a black cherry be grafted with a sour cherry to the same root stock? If so where would I be able to get such a tree? Thanks Juneh
The problem you face is availability for your area. If you want to buy a 3-n-1 Cherry you will probably have to special order the tree from a nursery. They in turn will have to special order that tree to get it in for you or you will have to have a propagator/grower do the grafting for you. Another problem you are likely to face is that it is not standard procedure, at least not here, to have Sweet Cherries and Sour Cherries grafted together onto the same rootstock. I suppose you can ask around if someone could and would graft you a Bing, a Black Tartarian and a Montmorency on Colt or Mahaleb rootstock, as an example of a 3-n-1. I would stick to a rootstock that will produce 85% of the size of a standard tree if you are interested in having quality fruit. The dwarf Cherries do not produce anywhere near the quality of fruit yet that a standard or semi dwarf Cherry will. There are some natural semi dwarf Cherries that can be dwarfed down in size even further with the right rootstock. That may be your "ticket" if you are overly concerned about tree size and growing space constraints. Jim
