1. Apple Trees

2. All apple trees sold nowadays are made up from two quite separate parts, which together form the complete tree Rootstocks SCION

3. Rootstocks The lower part of the apple tree is called the rootstock - typically it is the lowest 25cm (10ins) of the main trunk. This part controls the overall size of the tree, it does not affect the type or quality of the fruit produced. In general, the smaller the tree, the faster it will be to produce a full crop of fruit. After maybe four years, the larger trees catch up, and produce more fruit each year than the smaller trees.

4. SCION The main body of the tree (above the rootstock) is called the 'scion' and this has been grafted onto the rootstock at the nursery. This top part of the tree controls the type of apple produced.