Grafting and Propagating Fruit Trees...... 1

Grafting and Propagating Fruit Trees Grafting and Propagating Fruit Trees...... 2

Contents

Introduction...... 3

Wrapping and Waxing . . . . . 4

Collecting Scion Wood . . . . . 5

Types of Grafting or Budding ...... 5

Dormant or Winter...... 5

Bench Grafting ...... 6

Cleft Graft...... 7

Bridge and Inarch Grafts . . . . 8

Bark and Inlay Grafts...... 9

Budding ...... 9

Shield or T-Budding ...... 10

Chip Budding...... 10

Growing Fruit Plants from Seed...... 11

Grafting Supply Resources...... 12 Grafting and Propagating Fruit Trees...... 3

Introduction

Many people mistakenly believe whip, and bridge grafting of apple that fruit trees grow true to name and pear is possible, but such from seeds . In reality, if you grafts are not often successful on collect seed from a fruit grown stone fruits . Sweet cherry and, on a plant, the seeds will produce occasionally, peach may be suc- plants that will be a hybrid of cessfully grafted using the side two plants . The new plant will graft onto a 2- to 3-year-old limb . be the same kind of plant, but its Materials needed for any type fruit and vegetative portions may of grafting are scions, rootstocks, not look the same as the parent a sharp knife, a cleft grafting because the plant is “heterozy- tool, and a lightweight hammer . gous .” Therefore, all fruit trees Depending on the type of graft must be vegetatively propagated to be prepared, you will need by either grafting or budding grafting “wax,” rubber bud strips, methods . waxcoated cotton twine, grafting Fruit growers frequently use tape, and wire nails (number 16 grafting techniques to topwork or 18) . Having a sharp knife is of new varieties or strains of fruit paramount importance—using onto established trees bearing a dull knife can lead to serious misnamed or obsolete varieties injury . and to repair injury or damage In this publication we will caused by mice, rabbits, deer, or describe some successful propa- mechanical means . Commercial gation methods that can be used nursery workers propagate new on tree fruit . The techniques fruit trees, and producing a tree described may be used in all ready for planting takes several instances where grafting is re- years . quired . The choice of methods All of the temperate-zone depends on the time of year, the deciduous fruit plants may be type of material available, and propagated by budding . Cleft, the type of propagation desired . Grafting and Propagating Fruit Trees...... 4

Wrapping and Waxing Several wax-based and assumes a yellowish or tan color . 1 1 water-soluble waxing materi- Divide into /4- or /2-pound balls As a general rule, all grafts made als are available . When using and store in plastic bags until by budding or whipping should the more liquid water-soluble ready for use . be wrapped . Grafts made by materials, be sure to recoat the The fluid hot waxes and clefting, side limb insertion graft several times to make sure water-soluble materials flow (often called “hip graft”), inarch- that any cracks (which often freely around all cut surfaces of ing, and bridging need to be occur with these materials) are the graft and are less trouble- waxed, and in some instances closed . Water-soluble asphaltic some to apply than the hand wax; nailed tight . compounds, commonly sold as however, a special wax melter is Many cloth-backed and wound dressings, are simpler to needed for the hot waxes . plastic tapes are available for use use than the wax-based materi- Sealing all cut surfaces is in wrapping the graft, although als . Containers of water-soluble important for the graft to suc- plastic tapes appear to be easier materials must be protected from ceed . This includes all exposed to use . Rubber composition bud freezing to prevent breakdown of surfaces where the stock and strips are used to wrap the dor- the product . Grafting wax, also scion are joined and the free end mant buds . The plastic materials called “hand wax,” does not re- of the scion . come in rolls of 3/ - and 1/ -inch 8 2 quire a heating device to liquify widths and are well suited for it . It is soft, pliable, and simply grafting purposes . When care- pressed around the graft . Hand fully wrapped, they will form a wax is suitable when only a few very tight seal . The plastic tape grafts are to be prepared since it is secured by pulling the free is very sticky and unpleasant to end under the last turn around use . Commercial formulations the stem . Whether the tape is of hand wax can be purchased wrapped from the bottom up or from the companies listed in the vice versa makes little difference . “Grafting Supply Resources” sec- However, making the wrapping as tion of this publication . airtight as possible is important . You can also make your own When rubber bud strips are hand wax using the following used to wrap the bud or graft, recipe: no further attention is usually needed . When nursery workers’ • 4 parts (by volume) of rosin adhesive tape is used, care must • 2 parts (by volume) of be taken to slit the tape vertically beeswax about 4 to 6 weeks after growth • 1 part (by volume) of tallow or starts to prevent girdling . raw linseed oil Cotton twine or cloth strips Melt the tallow or heat the impregnated with wax may linseed oil (to about 125ºF), and be used to wrap the graft . The then add the beeswax . When waxed string is useful, but great these two parts have melted care is necessary to ensure an together, then add the powdered airtight wrapping . The strips of rosin . Stir until thoroughly mixed, impregnated cloth (1/ inch wide) 2 pour into a bucket of water, and are useful in wrapping bark allow to cool . Form the wax into a grafts or T-buds . ball and pull (or knead) it until it Grafting and Propagating Fruit Trees...... 5

Collecting Scion Wood Using water sprouts (or Types of Grafting or suckers) from the interior The success of any form of prop- branches of the tree—especially Budding agation depends on the quality older fruit trees—is not recom- Time of season will largely of the scion wood to be grafted . mended for propagating a variety determine what type of propaga- Collect scion or budwood early but is excellent for bridge graft- tion techniques you will need in the day while temperatures ing purposes . to use to create new plants . All are cool and the plants are still The scions for all forms of forms of topworking and repair fully turgid . The best vegetative graftage (except dormant bud- grafting are done only when the buds usually come from the cur- ding) must be collected in late plants are dormant in late winter rent season’s growth or dormant March while still completely dor- to early spring . Budding can be wood that grew the previous mant . Although not universally done in the dormant season with year . Mature buds are most held, it is a good idea not to take a dormant chip bud but is most desirable; discard terminal and scion wood while it is frozen . often done during the growing younger buds . To keep buds from You should wait 2 to 3 days after season using either T-budding or drying out, getting hot, or freez- the initial thawing to collect the chip budding . ing (depending on the season), scions . place the budwood into plastic The scions should be bags or wrap it in moist towels Dormant or Winter wrapped in nonperforated plastic or burlap as you collect it . Place (a plastic bread wrapper is excel- Propagation to be done during budwood of only one variety in a lent) and placed in cold storage the dormant or winter period is labeled bag . (30 to 40ºF) or buried in moist usually carried out in late March Budsticks that will not be sand or sawdust until ready for to early April . Both the receiving used immediately should be use . When making the graft, and inserted plant material must bundled, labeled, and stored in remove an inch or two of the tip be fully dormant . If either piece moisture-retaining containers and basal portions of the scions of plant material is not dormant, such as plastic bags or waxed to eliminate wood that may have the grafts may fail . Propagation cardboard boxes, which should dried out . Another reason for dis- techniques used when trees are be kept cool (32 to 45ºF) . The carding the tip and basal portions dormant include bench graft- longer budwood is stored, the is that the tip portion is too small ing, dormant chip budding, cleft less likely it is to “take .” General- and the base too large for proper grafting, bridge grafting, bark ly, budwood stored for more than handling . Furthermore, neither grafting, and inlay grafting . The a few days should be discarded . portion will have properly first two methods are primarily In budding, the situation is matured buds . used to create new trees; bridge somewhat different in that the grafting and inarch grafting are “June bud” technique involves used to repair damage to the the use of previous season’s tree trunk; and cleft grafting, terminal growth, whereas the bark grafting, and inlay grafting dormant budding is made from are used to topwork a tree to a nongrowing buds on the current new variety or to add multiple season’s growth . In either case, varieties to a single tree . only one-year-old material is suitable for any form of graftage discussed here . Grafting and Propagating Fruit Trees...... 6

Bench Grafting The scions should be collect- The two pieces are then fitted ed only from dormant terminal together with the tongues inter- Bench grafting, also known as twigs . Scion wood comes from locking (Figure 1c), and the graft whip and tongue grafting, is per- the previous season’s growth . is wrapped (Figures 1d and 1e) formed indoors, preferably in a If you need to store the scion and waxed immediately . When cool area . An unheated garage or wood for a brief period, keep it in the scion is of a smaller diameter barn is an ideal location . moist sphagnum moss, sand, or a than the stock, be sure to match This method is most success- plastic bag in a cool place . Scion the cambium layer of both pieces ful for grafting material pencil wood must be kept moist and on one side . Examine the graft sized (1/ to 3/ inch) to about 4 8 cool until used . After the cuts are after the wax hardens and rewax 1 inch in diameter . Because of made, scions must be inserted any holes or cracks that may the large amount of cambial immediately . Do not store scion have developed . contact, it heals quickly and wood in a refrigerator or storage Alternatively, you can pur- makes a strong union . Ideally, room that has held or currently chase a grafting tool (Figure 2a, the stock and scion should be the holds apples . Apples give off next page) . The tool makes an same diameter . This type of graft ethylene gas, which can damage omega cut in one stock (Figure is made when both the stock and the scion wood . 2b) and a corresponding cut in scion are dormant (late March to The stock is prepared by the other stock (Figure 2c) . The early April) . making a 1- to 2-inch sloping cut two pieces are then fitted togeth- at the top of the stock, as shown er (Figure 2d) and wrapped . in Figure 1a . A second downward Store the completed trees in cut (Figure 1b) is made into the a cool, moist area for 7 to 10 days stock, starting a third of the way to make sure the cambiums heal down from the top end . The together . Be sure to plant them second cut is made about half out before the buds begin to as long as the first . The scion is expand . prepared in the same manner .

1a

1b 1c 1d 1e Figure 1. Preparing and performing bench grafting. Grafting and Propagating Fruit Trees...... 7

Figure 2. Using an omega cut grafting tool. 2a 2b 2c 2d

Cleft Graft pared by making a tapering cut with a knife or cleft grafting tool 1 to 2 inches long on each side to a depth of about 2 to 3 inches Cleft drafting is the most com- (Figures 3a and 3b) . The scion (Figures 4b and 4c) . Keep the monly used method for topwork- should be 3 to 4 inches long and knife in position or insert a chisel ing a relatively mature tree over 3 1 about /8 to /2 inch in diameter . to keep the split open and insert to another variety . This system is The stock is cut off squarely the scions (Figure 4d) . The scion used on stocks from 1 to 3 inches (Figure 4a) and split vertically is placed so that its cambium in diameter . The scion is pre- layer and the cambium layer of the stock are in contact . All exposed surfaces are waxed or coated immediately . Usually, no wrapping is needed because the stock exerts sufficient pressure to hold the scions; however, wrapping the stock will en- sure a tighter connection and Figure 3. Tapering cut less chance for the scion to be used to prepare the bumped out of the stock . scion for a cleft graft. 3a 3b left graft .

4a 4b 4c 4d Figure 4. Splitting stock for a cleft graft. Grafting and Propagating Fruit Trees...... 8

After wrapping the scion and Insert the scion as indicated stock, paint the stock surface at B and B' and then secure with and the ends of the scions with two number 16 or 18 wire nails a wound dressing or cover them at each end as shown . with wax (Figures 5a and 5b) . Inarch or approach grafts are Once growth starts in the used when there is an insufficient spring, the bark loosens, or slips . area of trunk below the dam- When this occurs, the bark and aged portion because the trunk wood portions may not split is too close to the soil line . If a evenly and clefting may not be rootsucker is present, it can then satisfactory . You should then be grafted above the damage switch to either the bark or inlay as shown in 7C. The loose end type of graft . Figure 6. Nurse limb on recently should be handled as explained After the scion starts to grow grafted tree. for the top portion of the bridge in the spring, a good idea is to graft . Alternatively, if no root- cut off all of the wood from the suckers are present, planting a old variety except one limb as a Bridge and Inarch Grafts rootstock liner and grafting it into “nurse” limb (Figure 6) . Later in Rodents, machinery, and cold the healthy portion of the tree the summer revisit the grafts to weather often cause the bark to is necessary . You may also wish see how much growth is occur- be removed or separated from a to grow your own seedlings (see ring . If part (or all) of the trunk . When the section on propagating fruit excessive a minor injury is noticed early, plants from seed) . growth bridge grafting may be used to Wax all exposed surfaces of occurs or save the tree . Trim the edges of the inserted scions . The beveled you are in the girdled section back to sound cuts on the scion (7D) should be 1 a windy bark as shown along lines in from 1 to 1 /2 inches long and area, you Figure 7X to Y and 7X' to Y', and tapered across the stem . Insert may want cut the scion as illustrated in 7D . one bridge for each 2 inches of to support Place the scion along the trunk the injury’s width . the new so that the beveled edges rest scions . on sound bark at 7A and A' . 5a Tack a Mark and remove the bark rec- 1-inch tangles as indicated . The stem piece of piece to be inserted should wood be slightly longer than board needed to ensure a D Y below the snug fit . X B A union and fasten the X' Y' new scion B' A' to the Figure 7. Bridge C wood with graft and inarching 5b ties . of a rootsucker (C). Figure 5. Covering scion and graft with wound dressing. Grafting and Propagating Fruit Trees...... 9

Figures 8a and 8b show a suc- and set on the stock as in 11C . cessful inarch graft 3 years (8a) The area of the stock covered by and 6 years (8b) after grafting . the scion is then marked with a knife and the bark is removed C (11B) . After removing the bark, insert the scion and secure it with B number 16 or 18 flat-head wire nails (11D) . Several scions (up to four or five) can be inserted, and A grafting should be done when Figure 9. the bark slips for the bark graft . Bark graft. Wax all exposed parts . The fol- lowing year, return to the tree 8a and remove all but the strongest- growing graft .

Budding Budding is another form of graft- ing where only the bud is used rather than a piece of scion with several buds . There are two types of budding: shield or T-budding 8b and chip budding . Budding is Figure 8. Successful inarch graft Figure 10. Finished bark graft. commonly done in late summer, using rootstock liners when young. but dormant chip budding can be done in late winter before growth A C starts . Budding is the primary Bark and Inlay Grafts method used by nursery workers The bark graft is used frequently propagating fruit trees . to obtain a larger amount of A third variation in which surface contact when topworking B buds are forced to grow the same a tree to a new variety (Figure season they are grafted is called 9) . The scion, however, is not as June budding . As the name im- secure as when the inlay graft plies, it is done during the grow- D is used . The stock is cut off and Figure 11. ing season in late May or early a vertical slit is made as at 9A . Inlay graft. June . June budding can either be The bark is loosened, the scion is a chip or T-bud technique . The set, and then the bark is pressed top of the rootstock is broken in place and the trunk is tightly over (but not off) several inches wrapped . Alternatively, nails can grow . Be careful that birds do not above the bud 3 to 4 weeks after be inserted as indicated at 9B. land on the scion and dislodge it the bud has been inserted . As The properly cut scion can be before it is completely callused . soon as bud growth starts, the seen at 9C . All exposed surfaces Inlay grafting is suitable for top of the rootstock is cut . June should be waxed . topworking stocks that are more budding will only work in areas 1 Figure 10 shows a finished than /2 inch in diameter (Fig- where there is a long, warm bark graft after it has started to ure 11) . Scions are cut as in 11A, growing season . Grafting and Propagating Fruit Trees...... 10

Shield or T-Budding In dormant budding, the bud There has been considerable remains in place on the trunk of success budding sweet cherries T-budding operation is limited to the rootstock until the following using an inverted “T .” The only the period of the summer when spring, when the rootstock is cut difference in the procedure is the the bark is said to slip (Figure off just above the scion bud . A placement of the cross-cut at the 12)—when it separates easily from tree may be produced in one year bottom of the vertical cut on the the wood . This usually occurs by June budding, but produc- stock . from late May to early June and ing a finished tree by dormant from mid-July to early September, budding requires at least two but most budding is done during Chip Budding growing seasons . In either case, the latter period . Budsticks of the the scion buds (13B) are cut from Chip budding is a technique that scion variety (Figure 13A) are the budstick and placed in the can be used whenever mature prepared from the mid-portion of “T” as indicated at 13C and 13D. buds are present and the bark the current season’s growth . The The bud is then wrapped in place is not slipping . It can be done in rootstock is either a one-year-old with a rubber bud strip as shown the spring before growth starts seedling or rooted layer . This is at 13E. The rubber bud strip will and when the stock and the scion also referred to as fall (or dor- disintegrate in several weeks . If are still totally dormant . Chip mant) budding and is the common it does not, or you use a nonbio- budding is generally used when budding system used . degradable tie, you will need to the stock and scion are relatively 1 cut the rubber band . small ( /2 to 1 inch in diameter) . In recent years, most commercial tree fruit nurseries have changed from T-budding to chip budding because the buds tend to grow A out better . In chip budding, the first cut is made below the bud and down C into the wood at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees (Figure 14) . The Figure 12. Slipping bud. second cut is started about 1 inch above the bud and goes inward and downward behind the bud until it intersects the first cut . B

D E

Figure 13. Budstick (A), bud to be Front Back inserted (B), T-cut (C), bud insertion (D), and finished wrapping (E). Figure 14. Chip budding cuts. Grafting and Propagating Fruit Trees...... 11

The same procedure is then fol- after-ripening, occurs after the new plants (see “Handling in the lowed on the stock, making sure fruit portion is ripe . During this Nursery” below) . to match the size of the “chip” period the embryo develops until cut from the budstick . it is mature . The necessary after- Method 2—Refrigerator Unlike the T-bud, there are ripening could be accomplished Extract seeds and/or pits from no protective flaps to keep the by the following two systems . the fruit you want to reproduce . chip bud from drying out . There- Remove all adhering fruit por- fore, securely wrapping the bud Method 1—Outdoors tions and allow seeds to air-dry . is necessary to seal the cut edges, Prepare a garden-soil plot in the Then, place them in a glass jar or as well as to hold the bud piece fall as you would for planting other suitable container to which in place . Nursery workers’ adhe- any other type of seeds . Make a loosely fitted lid or cover may sive tape works well, although a furrow no deeper than one or be added . Set the seeds aside in a white or transparent plastic tape two times the longest dimen- cool place until mid-January . is more often used . Once the sion of the seed . Cover the seeds Seeds require after-ripening . buds start to grow, the tape must with a light cover of soil and add The length of this period varies be cut . an inch or two of sand over the by type of fruit (Table 1) . The In chip budding the stock is row . The sand will prevent the temperature at which the seeds not cut back above the bud until soil from crusting, which inhibits are stored will also impact the the union is complete . If the bud germination . success of germination . Seeds is inserted in the fall, the stock is Next, place wire screen, or should be stored dry in a sealed cut back just before growth starts hardware cloth, over the row—be container at the appropriate the next spring . If the budding is sure that all of the edges are temperature . Most seeds can be done in early spring, the stock is pushed several inches into the stored in airtight containers for cut back about 10 days after the soil and that the ends are closed . up to 1 year if temperature is bud has been inserted . This prevents chipmunks and controlled . squirrels from digging up the If seeds have not previously Growing Fruit Plants seeds . The following April watch received a cold treatment, mix the seeded area closely for newly the seeds with either moist from Seed germinated seedlings . As the (not wet) peat moss, sand, or Grafting and budding require seedlings grow, remove the wire shredded paper towels in mid- a compatible rootstock or stock screen to prevent restricting the January . Return the mixture to plant onto which you attach your desired variety of fruit plant . An inexpensive way to obtain a seedling rootstock is to col- Table 1. After-ripening requirements for certain fruit tree seeds. lect seeds from the type of plant tree effective best days you are propagating . This sec- temperature temperature required (ºF) (ºF) tion gives a simple method to help germinate seeds to produce Apple 40–50 40–41 70–80 grafting rootstocks . Apricot 40–50 45 60–70 The seeds of all common tree fruits (apple, pear, peach, and Cherry 33–50 41 90–140 cherry) require a chilling period before they will germinate and Peach 33–50 45 120–130 form new plants . The chilling Pear 33–41 40 60–90 period, known as dormancy or Grafting and Propagating Fruit Trees...... 12 the container and replace the lid . the seedlings . Water thoroughly Grafting Supply Resources Place container and seeds in the every 10 to 12 days . Orchard Valley Supply refrigerator until after the last The new seedling has a Phone: 888-755-0098 severe spring frosts . The seeds taproot . To facilitate transplant- Web site: orchardvalleysupply should remain in the refrigerator ing, cut the taproot by pushing .com for at least 60 days . In early April a spade under each plant . Push prepare a garden-soil seedbed the blade into the soil to cut the A .M . Leonard Inc . with furrows as described above taproot about 5 to 6 inches below 241 Fox Drive and plant the seeds . Keep the the surface . Piqua, OH 45356 soil moist but not wet . Do not Peach, nectarine, almond, Phone: 800-543-8955 add fertilizer . and apricot seedlings may be Web site: www .amleo .com budded the first summer, usu- Handling in the Nursery ally in late July or early August . OESCO, Inc . PO Box 540, Route 116 When the plants are 6 to 8 inches Apples, cherries, pears, and Conway, MA 01341 tall, apply 1 to 2 tablespoons of plums should be allowed to grow Phone: 800-634-5557 through to the July-August urea along every 12 inches of Web site: www .oescoinc .com row in a band on one side of period of the second year before the seedlings . Keep the fertil- budding is done . Ben Meadows Company izer about 3 inches away from PO Box 5277 Janesville, WI 53547 Phone: 800-241-6401 Web site: www .benmeadows .com

Forestry Suppliers 205 West Rankin St . PO Box 8397 Jackson, MS 39284 Phone: 800-647-5368 Web site: www .forestry- suppliers .com

Prepared by R . M . Crasweller, professor of tree fruit . Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research and cooperative extension programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the U .S . Department of Agriculture .

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