How to graft an apple tree correctly. 4 ways to suit everyone

When to plant an apple tree

The most suitable time is spring, as well as the period from the end of July to the first half of September. If you follow these terms, the graft (the part that is grafted) will have time to take root, and the tree will overwinter normally.

In one season, you can make several attempts: suddenly it doesn’t work the first time. In early spring, you can try splitting or copulating methods. In May - graft under the bark. And in the summer or early autumn, you will have the opportunity for another vaccination in a way called budding.

How to prepare cuttings for grafting

First, decide which tree branches you will be grafting from. Choose those that give a good harvest.

You can stock up on sources for spring vaccination from late autumn to spring, until the buds begin to swell. It is better to take one-year-old branches. They need to be cut off after leaf fall and even the onset of slight frosts to enable hardening. The next suitable period is the end of February and the first half of March.

Choose suitable branches no more than a centimeter thick, but not too flimsy. The length will fit up to 30-40 cm. Cut off the cuttings and mark them so you don't get confused which trees they come from. Wrap in a slightly damp cloth to cover about half or a third. Wrap the top loosely with cling film and tie off. Put in the refrigerator, preferably in the coldest part of it, but not in the freezer.

Another option is storage in a cellar or basement. To do this, fold the cuttings into a bag and cover half with a slightly damp and well-wrung out substrate, such as sawdust or sphagnum. Cover the top of the bag, but do not tie too tightly.

As for summer budding, a branch for it can be cut off right before the procedure.

How to graft an apple tree

To get started, prepare all the tools that you will need, depending on the method, as well as garden pitch for processing. It is advisable to treat a knife or other cutting objects, as well as hands, with alcohol so as not to bring anything into the cut. After that, you can proceed to the procedure itself.

How to graft an apple tree with a bud (budding)

First, decide on the apple tree whose bud you want to take. Select a branch that has grown this year and cut it off.

Choose a tree to graft. On a suitable branch - it should be no older than two or three years - make an incision at a slight angle.

Then move the knife a few centimeters higher and carefully cut off part of the bark. Part of the trunk after such a procedure will become open.

Now take the branch you cut earlier. Make an incision slightly below the kidney. Move the knife higher and make another one. With a knife, carefully separate the part of the bark and wood that is between the two cuts.

Place the bud on the cut you made on the tree. They fit together like a puzzle.

Wrap the joint with plastic tape or electrical tape so that all cuts are securely closed.

How to graft an apple tree under the bark

Carefully cut down the trunk or branch of the tree on which you will graft the cuttings. Clean the cut with a knife. The surface should be flat.

Position the knife along the trunk and apply pressure to cut through the bark and reach the wood. Without removing the blade from the cut, gently move the knife sideways to lift the top layer.

On the handle, make a long, even and smooth oblique cut at least 3 cm long. Leave 2-3 buds and cut off the cutting above the top one.

With the pointed end, insert the cutting into the incision made in the bark. The upper part of the cut of the cutting should protrude literally 2–3 mm above the level of the trunk or branch.

You can place the cuttings on either side, if the branch or trunk is straight. If the branch is tilted, be sure to place one on top. The distance between the cuttings should be approximately 4-5 cm around the circumference, no more. Only one can be grafted onto a thin branch, otherwise dryness may occur, which will then be difficult to eliminate.

When all the cuttings are installed, wrap the trunk with film tape or electrical tape. Lubricate all cuts with garden pitch.

How to graft an apple tree into a split

Cut the tree to be grafted on at a slight angle at a height of about a meter or a little more. If the saw cut is not too even, clean it with a knife. Take two cuttings and cut each one so that only two buds remain on it. Sharpen the lower part to make a pointed peg.

Gently split the trunk with an ax, inflicting several blows. Drive a wedge into the resulting niche to split the trunk into two parts.

Insert the sharpened cuttings into the resulting split so that the entire stripped and pointed part is inside. When both are inserted, carefully remove the wedge.

Wrap the splitting site with a film or electrical tape. Cover the cut and upper part of the cuttings with garden pitch.

Over time, the cuttings will grow, and the juices of the tree will nourish them and give them strength.

How to graft an apple tree by copulation

This method is perfect for young trees, as grafting requires a branch and a cutting of about the same diameter.

First, make an oblique cut on the rootstock and scion. On the branch you will be grafting, leave 2-3 buds and cut off above the top one. After that, you can simply connect them.

For improved copulation, make an additional incision on both cuts approximately in the middle of each.

Connect both branches, aligning the cuts like grooves so that one fits into the other. Wrap the grafting site with film or tape. Lubricate the upper cut with garden pitch.

How to care for an apple tree after vaccination

Do not leave the tree unattended after the operation. In the first weeks after vaccination, regularly inspect the apple tree and, if necessary, apply a little more garden pitch to the bare places.

The tape wrapped around the junction can be removed after a month and a half. Although often it is left for longer in order to more reliably fix the vaccination site. In this case, it is worth rewinding it about every month to make room for growth. But before the onset of cold weather, in any case, the tape will have to be removed.

Also remove any shoots that appear below the graft. Otherwise, they will draw nutrients onto themselves.