Guidance

Fruit and nut trees eligible under the ELM agroforestry action

Updated 12 August 2024

Applies to England

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Table 1: eligible fruit and nut trees  

Genus  Rootstock  Size  Notes 
Apple  M25  Vigorous  For standard orchards, vigorous planting schemes or very poor soil areas   
Apple  MM111  Vigorous  For standard orchards, vigorous planting schemes or very poor soil areas. Can be temperamental so M25 is favoured over this rootstock   
Apple  MM106  Semi-vigorous  Should be used for most schemes   
Apple  M116  Semi-vigorous  Should be used for most schemes, this is similar to MM106 with added ‘wet feet’ resistance   
Pear  Pyrus communis  Vigorous       
Pear  Pyrus kirchensaller  Vigorous  A more uniform rootstock from seed than communis   
Pear  Pyrodwarf  Semi-vigorous  Clonally produced and less suckers than pyrus communis or kirchensaller. The name is deceptive.   
Pear or Quince  Quince A  Semi-vigorous  Can be used but only in some circumstances due to delayed compatibility issues   
Cherry  Colt  Semi-vigorous  Should be used for most schemes   
Cherry  F.12.1/avium Vigorous  For standard orchards, vigorous planting schemes or very poor soil areas   
Plum family*  Brompton  Vigorous  For standard orchards, vigorous planting schemes or very poor soil areas. Limited supply of this rootstock.   
Plum family*  St Julien A  Semi-vigorous  Should be used for most schemes   
Plum family*  Wavit or Weiwa  Semi-vigorous  Should be used for most schemes   
Plum family*  Myrobalan B  Vigorous  For standard orchards, vigorous planting schemes or very poor soil areas. Also St Julien A Seedling.   
Walnut    Would be vigorous if grown on seed grown Juglans regia       Walnut cultivars are most commonly grafted onto seed grown Juglans regia (Common Walnut)     
Sweet Chestnut (European - Castinanea Sativa)    Would be vigorous if grown on seed grown Castanea sativa       Many cultivars are grafted onto Castanea sativa (Sweet Chestnut), Castanea crenata (the Japanese chestnut) or hybrids of C. sativa x crenata. The hybrids provide better vigour, disease resistance and compatibility with most common chestnut cultivars.     
Hazlenuts and Cobnut          Typically, hazelnut cultivars are grafted onto Corylus avellana or Corylus maxima rootstocks.    Rootstocks are not necessary for Cobnuts, which often grow on their own roots and are sold as whips.   

*The plum family can include: 

  • damsons 
  • plums 
  • gages 
  • peaches 
  • nectarines 
  • interspecific Prunus crosses
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