Fruit tree for a NW-ish facing garden?

[FB.]

A puddle gathering around the base of the trunk will result in crown rot (root rot) - especially with MM106 (or M25).
You need to raise the soil level to avoid having the tree trunk sitting in a puddle.

I expect that an inch or two of extra soil/sand up the trunk will still keep the graft above ground. It usually doesn't matter if the tree is planted a little deeper than when in the pot or nursery - just don't bury the graft.

[Nordmead]

just don't bury the graft.

im not quite sure where the graft is.. i inspected the trunk and saw a small line right the way around about a foot above soil level which i suppose could be the graft.. but also about 2 foot above soil where it starts the branch out there some black paint stuff on it so im a bit

[FB.]

The graft is normally between 1-4 inches above ground level, but some nurseries graft higher. Apparently, the higher the graft, the greater the rootstock influence on final tree size, although the influence is only slight until you get to extremes of grafting height.

If you bury the graft, there is a chance that the tree will form its own roots, which for some varieties may increase (or decrease) the vigour. MM106 roots are about average vigour or slightly less, so an average vigour variety growing its own roots would not be much larger than a MM106 rooted version.
However, a Blenheim would become somewhat larger on its own roots - equal to having Blenheim on M25 roots - maybe even larger.
As for how well an own-rooted variety would tolerate various soil conditions.....I guess that different varieties would prefer different soils.

But not all buried grafts will self-root. Some may actually rot instead.

The graft would normally show as a slight bend or lump in the lower trunk. There will also be a slight change in bark colour at the graft union, since the rootstock bark will be slightly different to the scion bark (because they're two different trees).

If in doubt, take a few pictures - at ground level and at different heights up the trunk. Put the pics up and I'll see if I can spot the graft.

[Nordmead]

just had a look and the base of the trunk was already at least 4 inches under.. so i think my only option is to carefully dig it up and try not to damage the roots..

[Nordmead]

i got it in, its not exactly upright but only leaning back about 10 degrees towards the stake so dont spose it matters.. (OCD mode) i just hope that the slate chippings stuff that i had to put back (and slighty ruined the mound that i made) dont make any puddles.. thanks for the help fb

[Mell]

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