Dwarf vs Semi-Dwarf
Dwarf
Fruit trees on full dwarfing rootstocks require permanent support. Trees may be individually staked for support or put on a trellis system. The average height of these trees at full maturity will be 8-12’ and trees should be planted no closer than 5-6’ apart. Dwarfing rootstocks make fruit trees more precocious, so on average they will come into production two seasons sooner than trees grown on semi-dwarf stock.
Semi-Dwarf
We recommend supporting semi-dwarf trees until the roots are firmly established, at which point the trees should be freestanding, especially on heavier ground. The average height to expect at full maturity is 14-20’, depending on how they are pruned and maintained. Trees should be planted approximately 10-12’ apart.