[Schattenbaer]

We didn't have space for an orchard, but we did have space for a single combination tree.

A combination tree is rootstock with multiple apple varieties grafted on to it, often designed so that the different varieties can pollinate each other. Our specific tree has Chehalis, Honeycrisp, Beni Shogun Fuji and Jonagold varieties on it.

Other ways to grow apples in a limited space are columnar apples (they grow fruit close to the trunk and are nearly vertical) and dwarf rootstock.

Scarlet Sentinel, Golden Sentinel, and Urban Tasty are popular columnar varieties.

For rootstock their are specialized rootstock nurseries - and rootstock determines the size of the final tree more than the grafted variety does.

M27 (Super Dwarf) is an extremely compact rootstock that can be used to grow apples in containers, as the tree will max out around 2m. Bud 9 and B10 dwarf are also small, but will grow to around 3.5m.

If you want rootstock that will live around a century, you probably need Antonovka Standard, which will grow to about 7m.

[Perz1val]

I got told multiple times that such a combination tree is a shit idea. Firstly that genes get "diluted" and the resulting fruits aren't good. Then that the earliest variety will consume the most of available resources and any later fruit will not get a chance to grow. How good are your apples?

[Schattenbaer]

They are admittedly not super, but for the space we have they provide a good amount of joy.

[euroderf]

Your grafts - do they ever come to be as strong as untouched "native" branches ? Or are the graft points always a weak spot ?

[Perz1val]

Afaik after a few years growing together it's bonded solid.