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  • From: Caren Kirk <quirky@videotron.ca>
  • To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [NAFEX] 4 in one trees
  • Date: Mon, 23 May 2011 11:44:50 -0400

I'm seeing more and more of the "4 in one" or "5 in one" fruit trees, i.e. a pear, apple, plum or cherry with 4 or more different varieties grafted. They're all over the large surface DIY stores, but they're also being sold in several higher quality garden centres. Obviously trying to appeal to those of us with not a lot of space that want to try fruit growing. I totally get the concept.

However I question the scruples of selling these trees to an uneducated public. I am by no means an expert but I am trying to learn a lot about fruit growing and have investigated and have some experience with certain varieties for my zone. I have seen plums with 3 japanese varieties and 1 self-sterile european. How is that meant to work? They have pears where only 2 out of the 4 varieties are hardy in our area. Not to mention the sweet cherries which are practically all for a zone or 2 warmer.

Of course then there are the issues of pruning, spray requirements etc for multi-grafted trees. There is no or very little information given on rusticity, care etc with these trees, especially from the large surface retailers.

I am all for experimenting and pushing the limits with fruit growing and I know that multi-grafted trees can serve a purpose, However I just think that Joe Public has no idea what they are getting themselves in for, and people are exploiting the concept of a perfect tree to a somewhat ignorant consumer base.

Any thoughts?

Caren Kirk
St. Jerome, QC




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