Grafting Fruit Trees Storeys Country Wisdom Bulletin A – 35 – Larry Southwick

The scion is then pushed downward under the bark until the lower bud is about even with the cut surface of the tub. Two No. 20 gauge ¾-inch flathead nails or small brads are driven into each scion to hold it firmly in place. Waxing protection finishes the job. Scions may be placed three to four inches apart around the stub.

This graft exposes less wood than the cleft graft thus requiring less wax, and it can be used on larger stubs, three to four inches in diameter. It is also useful on cherries and other stone fruits. As in cleft grafting, save only one scion for the permanent branch, keeping the others pruned back and finally eliminating them.

Bark graft: A-scion, B-splitting bark, C-one scion inserted, D-job completed including waxing OceanofPDF.com Inlay Graft (also called Veneer and Rind) This is similar to the bark graft except that a rectangular shaped piece of bark is cut out of the stub and the scion is cut to fit.

Be sure to remove any inner light green bark if it does not come off when the piece of bark is removed. Otherwise, the cambium on the tub will be covered and contact with the scion cambium will not be made. If this happens, uniting of the two parts is prevented by a physical barrier. Nails are used and scions should be spaced three to four inches apart, as in bark grafting large limbs. OceanofPDF.com Bridge Graft Bridge grafting is the bridging of a bark-girdled area of a tree trunk by grafting into the good bark above and below the injury in order to re- establish sap flow and connection between root and top.

Girdling of fruit trees may be caused by rabbits, mice, sun scald, winter injury, disease, or mechanical injury. Girdled trees must be “bridged” if they are to be salvaged. Otherwise they will die. There must be an active or live connection between the top and the root of any plant. Usually the cause of girdling in the backyard orchard is the chewing of the bark during the winter under the protection of snow cover by field mice.

Pine mice usually girdle trees under the ground.

The term graft stems from the words greffe or grafe or graphium, referring to the pencil shape of a scion or shoot. Grafting is the act of joining two plant parts so that they unite or grow together to achieve a desired result. The grafting of fruit trees is one of the oldest of recorded horticultural practices, and was mentioned by Theophrastus about 300 BC. The Romans developed and utilized several grafting techniques that are still in use today. In China as early as the fourth century AD, it was reported that Oriental pear was “best suited” to the rootstock Tu Li, indicating that other combinations were less successful.

Also, Japanese plum was found to be successfully grafted onto peach but not vice versa. Thus many of the principles of grafting were known around the world in very early times. A.J. Downing discussed grafting in his book The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America published in 1857 and stated: “No person having any interest in a garden should be unable to perform these operations, as they are capable of effecting transformations and improvements in all trees and shrubs.” Actually, grafting and budding are not difficult. A little knowledge about the techniques helps to inject more fun into the procedures, especially since know-how will almost guarantee success.

OceanofPDF.com Definition of Terms Grafting The practice of physically joining parts of two individual plants, as with stock and scion, so that they will form a union and grow together. Budding A form of grafting, where a single bud is used instead of a piece of wood (shoot) containing several buds. Scion Piece of shoot to be grafted or is already grafted into the stock. It usually is dormant wood of the previous season’s shoot growth. From it grows a branch or a whole tree.

The varietal characteristics of the scion (for example McIntosh apple) are thus perpetuated. They are not changed by the stock to which the scion is joined. Bud That portion of a shoot or scion found at the base of each leaf stalk. Buds for propagation may be taken in midsummer or later. This is when budding is done. The bud then grows out the next season and forms a new branch or whole tree, perpetuating the variety the same as the scion in grafting.

Stock The root, branch, or tree trunk into which a graft or bud is set; that part of the tree below the point of insertion of the scion or bud; below the graft union.

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

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