"sherwindu" wrote in message
...


Arborsmith wrote:

I avoid using dwarf rootstock as it has
been determined that the longevity and hardiness are limited due the
virus they contain.

I agree that dwarf rootstocks do not live as long as standard ones, but
I'm
experiencing dwarf and semi-dwarf life times of over 15 years. At my
age,
planting a dwarf tree will probably be going strong when I check into
the
home for retired gardeners.

Where did you get that cockamamy idea that dwarf trees contain viruses
that result in their short life times? There are dwarfing rootstocks
that are
sold as virus free selections. The reduced lifetime is probably due
to the
smaller root system of these dwarf trees.


I don't know the real reason why they're dwarved, but I *do* know that
viruses cause some very interesting plant variations. A perfect example is
the streaks in some tulip petals.