Question
I would like to plant an apple tree in my sunny back yard on the north face of Potrero Hill. My friend in Seattle particularly likes Elstar and Honecrisp both grafted on a single rootstock. I would like a tree no more than ten feet tall and apples that will pollinate one another. what rootstock do you recommend and do you have a recommendation regarding these or comparable apples varieties for Potrero Hill? thank you very kindly for your answer.
Sharon
San Francisco
Answer
The varieties Honecrisp and Elstar are not suited for our climate. The apple varieties that do best in San Francisco are Fuji and Yellow Delicious if you want something that is considered self fertile. Gala does well here but needs a pollinator. Of course, when 2 trees are planted, the pollination rate is that much better. We have Fuji on a UD (ultra dwarf) rootstock. The resultant tree will get no higher than 6". We also have semi dwarf but these will get 12' to 15' tall unless pruned back. Because space is a premium, we also carry espaliered apple trees with 6 varieties (3 tiers, 1 variety per left or right arm): Fuji, Gala, Jonathon, Red Macintosh, Braeburn, and Gravenstein.
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