Malus 'Jonafree'

Apple trees do not grow particularly well on their own roots. As a result, apple varieties sold in commerce today have all been grafted onto rootstocks which, inter alia, control the size of the tree. Rootstocks are generally classified as follows (tree height in parenthesis): dwarf (8-10'), semi-dwarf (12-15') and standard (18-25' or more). All trees bear full-size fruit, however. Most trees sold today for the home apple grower have been grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks (dwarf or semi-dwarf), resulting in trees which, in comparison to standard trees, are (1) easier to manage (e.g., spray, pru... more »

Apple trees do not grow particularly well on their own roots. As a result, apple varieties sold in commerce today have all been grafted onto rootstocks which, inter alia, control the size of the tree. Rootstocks are generally classified as follows (tree height in parenthesis): dwarf (8-10'), semi-dwarf (12-15') and standard (18-25' or more). All trees bear full-size fruit, however. Most trees sold today for the home apple grower have been grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks (dwarf or semi-dwarf), resulting in trees which, in comparison to standard trees, are (1) easier to manage (e.g., spray, prune and harvest) and (2) produce fruit at an earlier age. 'Jonafree' is a popular apple cultivar which may be purchased on a number of different rootstocks. The 'Jonafree' tree growing at the Kemper Center has a semi-dwarf rootstock which limits its growth to 12-15' tall. This cultivar features white blossoms which appear in spring and are followed by small to medium-sized, red-over-yellow, mildly tart, Jonathan-type apples which ripen in early to mid-September (USDA Zone 5). (less)