A half century ago, when Dwarf Fruit Tree Association took root, very few growers had trees on dwarfing rootstocks, and much mystique surrounded them. Now, dwarfing rootstocks have become standard, and the association is tackling other critical issues facing orchardists around the world. In the 1920s, horticulturist Dr. Harold B. Tukey, Sr., brought dwarfing Malling rootstocks to Geneva, New York, from England and disseminated them to experiment stations, nurseries, and growers all over America. In 1945, Tukey moved to Michigan State University, where he established research plantings. His students, including Wally Heuser, who graduated in 1950, became enthused about the […]