Cameron Nursery trees

Sandard 2-year trees

This item started as a rootstock planted in the nursery 2 years before the projected shipping (planting in the orchard) date. Example, if you plan to plant in the spring of 2008, we would plant the rootstocks for your order in spring of 2006. Later that summer, usually August, the rootstocks are budded to the variety. The plant then grows the rest of the season plus the following season. At Cameron Nursery we dig the plants in the early spring of the delivery date. Customers can expect trees ordered in this category to be ½" diameter or larger with multiple feathers and an extensive root system.

Bench grafts

This item starts out as a rootstock, dug in November of the year previous to planting in the orchard. Example: if you plan to plant in the spring of 2008, we would bench graft the rootstocks for your order between January and April of 2008 for delivery in the spring of 2008. We would need to know the scion variety before January 2008. Customers can expect a 14-16 inch trunk with an adequate root system. The top 4 inches of the trunk is the scion variety. Although bench grafts greatly shorten the time between ordering and delivery they are the most sensitive to orchard management practices. Customers considering the bench graft option need to carefully read the section on handling and growing bench grafts.

Sleeping (dormant) eyes

This item starts out as a rootstock planted in the nursery 1 year before the projected shipping (planting in the orchard) date. Example: if you plan to plant in the spring of 2008, we would plant the rootstocks for your order in the spring of 2007. Later that summer, usually August, the rootstocks are budded to the variety. The plant then grows the rest of the season, is cut back to the variety bud, and dug for delivery in the spring of 2008. Customers can expect a 5-6 inch long trunk with the variety bud at the top and an extensive root system .

Potted trees

A relatively new item to the apple and cherry industry is a potted tree. This item has been used in the nut and grape industry successfully for many years. This item begins as a rootstock, in a pot, in a greenhouse, in December or January (4-5 months) before delivery. After the rootstock is established we bud the ordered variety to the root and continue to grow the plant in the greenhouse until delivery. Customers can expect a 3/8"-1/2" plant about 30" tall that is fully leafed out. The root system is fully developed in the pot and a sterile soil medium surrounds the roots. This product is perhaps the most controlled item, i.e. sterile soil, sterile greenhouse, predictable environment. Potted trees must be planted well after the last frost and will thrive only under the best irrigation program.