Graft of a Dwarf Apple Tree

Grafts can be of many varieties, such as Spartan, Macintosh, etc. The dwarf rootstock limits the tree’s height and focuses the tree’s energy towards fruit production. Dwarf trees make the work easier, as no ladders are needed for picking or pruning.

Back in 1980, very few dwarf tree orchards existed in Quebec, and there were none at all in Compton. The expertise for this was found only in Europe, where dwarf trees had been cultivated since the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Diane and Louis flew to France to explore the possibilities. There, trained by Michel Lefeuvre, a fruit engineer working in Anjou, they learned about soil preparation, tree planting, the growth habits of dwarf apple trees, and parasite management. Everything was new, and it was an exciting time for them. Supported by government grants from the « Office franco-québécois pour la jeunesse », they were able to do several internships and gradually learn to adapt the new technology. They needed a lot of patience as they worked through trial and error to achieve success.