Grafting - how does the rootstock affect the grafted tree

[Taylog1]

I found a nice apple tree in the wild whose apples are happily still on the tree in February (I'm in Dorset UK), firm and sweet. 

I grafted some cuttings into MM106 rootstock last year, all took nicely - but it just occurred to me, is it likely that the ripening characteristics of the rootstock will affect the tree, or is it just the height/vigour that's affected ?

Gareth   

[Shaun Burnett]

Rootstocks do effect the tree to some degree. I’ve read that the more dwarfing the rootstock, the earlier the tree will fruit and also the volume of fruit will increase.  Fruit size  is also affected, but I can’t recall exactly how for MM106.  In terms of the fruit hanging on the tree etc, I  can’t comment.  Although I did graft a a wild tree this year that was both (just) in blossom and holding fruit, so I maybe able to comment in a few years.