We just ordered & planted a dwarf Cameo (our favorite!)apple tree from Van Well Nursery a month ago & it has leafed out. I think since the top is the same whether dwarf or full size the fruit should taste the same ... correct? It is the dwarf rootstock that is different?

We also ordered a dwarf Elberta peach tree from Stark's that we planted 3 weeks before the apple & it has never leafed out. A scratch on the trunk shows green & Stark's suggested pruning an inch or two off the top every few weeks & also 'spanking' it but so far no buds! I heard about the 'spanking' years ago from my grandparents & it seemed to work ...maybe it got the sap flowing ... or maybe it loosened a sap 'clot'?!! ha I do this in dark of night in case a neighbor sees me & reports me for 'tree abuse'!!

Any ideas for getting this peach tree to start growing? Stark's say they will replace it if it doesn't leaf out but that would arrive next season & we then have lost a whole season for a peach tree. I have had similar problems in the past with Stark trees but they were the only ones I could find that had a dwarf Elberta to buy.

Van Well & SandyBar Nursery stock we ordered this year arrived in wonderful shape, more $$ but they took right off & are doing great! Found these two companies very helpful & sent trees with great root systems & both arrived in excellant shape!