All commercial sweet cherry trees are either budded or grafted.
The part of the tree above the graft/bud union is known as the scion, and the part below the graft/bud union is known as the stock or rootstock.
Modern sweet cherry scion breeding programs have focused mainly on achieving improved characteristics such as yield, taste, fruit size, fruit firmness, fruit color, precocity, disease and fruit cracking resistance.
In contrast, modern rootstock breeding programs have largely focused on increasing precocity, reducing vigor or, in some cases, adaptation to certain soil and climatic conditions.
In recent years, there has been a substantial increase of available rootstocks that provide growers with a complete range of vigor from full vigor, full size to true dwarfing rootstocks that reduce vigor by 50% or more.
These dwarfing rootstocks facilitate the harvest of premium quality fruit from high-density, pedestrian orchards.
Furthermore, when matched with ultra-high-density training systems, such as slender spindle axis, dwarfing rootstocks may reach full production by fourth leaf.
[...]
Want to know more? The full article is reserved for subscribers to the Cherry Times newsletter! Sign up for free to receive each new exclusive in-depth article directly in your inbox and stay up-to-date with quality advice and analysis. Don't miss this unique opportunity!
Sign up for free to the Cherry Times newsletter
05 Jan 2026
On 24 December, a local fruit grower explained that this year the trees were subjected to forced dormancy and heating earlier than usual, resulting in the cherries ripening about 10 days earlier than in previous years.
30 Oct 2025
In Chile, a new cherry pulp burger cuts fat by up to 16% while adding value to fruit excluded from exports. Developed by a university team, the project blends innovation, sustainability, and waste recovery into a product for health-conscious consumers and emerging markets.
20 Apr 2026
In 2025, Moldova reached a record in sour cherry exports, surpassing domestic consumption, with 55% of output shipped abroad. Rising prices and lack of irrigation are affecting fruit quality, yields and the overall competitiveness of the national cherry supply chain.
20 Apr 2026
In Chile’s cherry sector, oversupply and rising costs are reshaping the market. According to Raimundo Cuevas, not all orchards will survive: higher productivity, new varieties and a redefinition of growing areas will be essential to maintain profitability in the coming years.
