Hello all!

I am looking for two trees, both dwarf: one pear with two varieties of pear, and one apple also with two varieties. I am hoping to find a place that allows you to choose the varieties. I am in Portland, but I am also willing to order and have them shipped. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks Much!

Andrea; I looked around some online but couldn't find any 'custom grafting' to that extent. A few Nurseries will 'make a tree' for you, but one variety only...

My first suggestion is to 'do it yourself.' Buy the base varietys you desire, then graft on the second variety to each tree. You could either dormant graft, or 'bud' it next summer. The Home Orchard Society gives classes on each.

Second suggestion: you procure the base variety trees you desire, both pear & apple. Bring them (potted or root wrapped) to the HOS "Fruit & Berry Cutting (Scion) Exchange" this spring and pay ($3 or $4?) to have one of 'us' dormant graft your additional varieties. If I make it in to graft (my 8th or 9th year of bench-grafting @ HOS), I'm willing (for their small fee) to put on as many varieties as you have limbs. Any of us could do it, I think - and if it looked really challenging - they'd send you to me anyway ... while they sit & grin.

I have several trees done this way. I'd bought a Northern Spy for example, then grafted on a Ribston Pippin to one of it's young limbs. Keep in mind, the tree will need limbs; if you mail-order it, make sure it's 'branched and un-pruned.' So, you could do it - or we could do it. If you bring them into our Spring Event, there will be many free dormant 'cuttings' (scions) of apples and a whole lotta pear varieties to choose from. Just do us one big favor - decide on your varieties before you come to have them grafted! It's daunting to choose "A good one" for our clients...

That said; you should probably look over the following discussion on multi-grafted trees: viewtopic.php?t=40 I don't know if you desire two varieties for pollination, or choice..? If it's for pollination, do your homework! If it's for 'choice,' ...consider pollination...

Thanks so much - that is a big help!

Andrea:
Viron has good advice for you. Now I'll add mine.
Apples: select two varieties that have similar vigor or growth rate and bloom period. See me at the scion exchange for this information or email me when you have selected your variities.
Pears: If one variety is 'Bartlett' with a long bloom period it will pollinate most (but nat all) other European pear varieties.

email tlswensen@earthlink.net

Ted