In the case of fruit trees, most dwarf trees are produced by grafting the desired variety onto a dwarfing rootstock. Pruning is used to keep the tree small, but less pruning is needed because the rootstock makes the tree grow slower. Search this forum for dwarf rootstock to learn more.

So, can you effectively keep a semi-dwarf as small as a dwarf?

Is it OK to get a semi-dwarf for smaller areas?

Yes, you can keep a semi-dwarf as small as a dwarf, but depending on the variety and rootstock, it may require lots of attention.

Ramble what type of tree/rootstock are you considering and how much room do you have/how small do you want to keep it?

Will get 2 trees. Have 10 ft. between them. Would like to keep both at reachable height.

One will be a dwarf Starking Delicious.

The other might be semi-dwarf Beauty. Rootstock options: Kyrmsk or Marianna 2624.

If not Beauty, then dwarf Superior.

This is a very interesting thread for me. I planted a dwarf northstar cherry last spring. Its got just as tall as I would want it. Is it just as simple as pruning it to the height you want? In my case, its about 8 1/2 feet tall.

Prune, prune, prune.
See below:

Here is a link that might be useful: Dwarf Tree? But it's so BIG!?!

So help me out here: if pruning is the single biggest factor in controlling growth - and I believe it is - then what is the advantage of dwarf varieties?

angus37:

Dwarfs, such as apples on M9, usually bear sooner than the same apple on a more vigorous rootstock. Thus the trees can be planted much closer and still bear fruit at a very young age. In stonefruit the list of dwarfing rootstocks is much shorter or nonexistant. But I've got many stonefruit trees planted 6ft by 8ft that bear from top to bottom without excessive pruning. That is if you call pruning about every 6 weeks all summer not excessive. It only takes me about 10 hrs per yr to keep two dozen trees under control and bearing heavily. I spend more time thinning the fruit, training the branches, and tying the branches up to support all that fruit. Pruning is just part of the job and not a bad part when you feel like you know what you are doing. The knowing part comes with experience.

The Fruitnut

Well, Fruitnut has already said it, but I would sum it up like this:

Generally, more dwarf rootstocks produce earlier (are more precocious) and require less pruning to maintain a smaller size.

But it would be possible to keep a regular-variety tree the same size; it would just take more work and longer to fruit. Am I understanding this right?

Obviously I'm a fan of little maintenance and much fruit, but if a dwarf variety is not available I'd like to know I can still keep it small and get fruit.

You have it right, BUT most of the time you should be able to find most varieties grafted onto dwarf rootstock. What are you looking for?

Nothing in particular right now, but I'd like to try apricots, apples, plums and peaches. Maybe more, my wife has some preferences too.

I'd also like to try some nut trees; I hear pistachios, almonds and some pecans do well here. Haven't seen much about dwarf variety nut trees; is there even such a thing? I know they can grow pretty big and don't want shallow roots damaging my foundation.

The columnar apples are probably the smallest for use on a patio. The apple rootstock M27 will make a mini dwarf tree, and there are 'genetic' dwarf peaches and nectarines.
It helps to be more specific as to what a 'small' garden is. Do you mean 20 feet square or 10 feet square?
The Issai Kiwi is also a very small fruit plant, and then there are the Gooseberries which are covered with wicked thorns, but are small plants.

"...but if a dwarf variety is not available I'd like to know I can still keep it small and get fruit."

Unless you are looking for something pretty unique, you shouldn't have much problem finding the varieties you want on dwarf rootstock (depending on the type of fruit, of course). For example, apples are easier to find on dwarf rootstock than on full-size or, in many cases, semi-dwarf rootstock. It would be worth shopping around or even waiting a season to find the right thing rather than settling for what's available on first look.