Top working an apple tree

10 years ago

I finally realized that the solution to my two problems of a) a big crabapple tree with bad fruit and b) no space for a good apple tree is to top work the crabapple tree with more desirable varieties.

I have never grafted before and I realise that this project may be well beyond me. So far the public library and google are answering some of my questions, but a few are more difficult to find answers to.

Is this a realistic goal? I can do it over several years, I have nothing but time on my hands but of course I would love to see results fairly soon to prove that I'm not too crazy. Has anyone tried a big project with no experience?

And what is the best way to source scion wood? I guess I could plant some kind of a combo tree to use as a source and rip it out when I'm done, but is there a good (Canadian) place I could purchase it?

I appreciate any advice or stories of success. I'm pretty sure my husband thinks I've gotten completely carried away.

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Comments (5)

User
10 years ago
how big is big? I think you can graft over and it is a realistic goal depending on how large the tree is. I would start small and graft over a few branches first.

In my experience apples are the most forgiving and easiest to graft and with good scion you shouldn't have to wait long, I have 4 varieties that set a few apples the second year after grafting.
Globell - zone 8
10 years ago
You bet it is. Top working only works if the tree is vigorous

I have 20 varietities grafted to one apple

Size of tree? Can you post a photo and I can better help? Do you have graft wood?

are you going to graft now? Apple likes to heal at 10C so as long as it's it's no warmer than 10C at night it may work.

I would suggest bark grafting which is the easiest of grafting in my opinion.
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Violetjune Zone 3
Original Author
10 years ago
The tree is probably about 25 years old and around 15 feet in height. I would love to start this project now but I don't know if it's an appropriate time. I also don't have any scion wood; I'm not sure where to get it.

From what I've read bark grafting would be the best method, can I do bud grafting or should I stick to the regular ways?
Konrad..just outside of Edmonton Alberta
10 years ago
Sure...you can do this, I like spring scion wood grafting, I had a ornamental crab apple a long time ago which I butchered up over a period of about 10 years, probably had 25 cultivars on it but eventually died due to fire blight, think I was to blame by too much cutting and grafting new stuff, that's the risk you take.

The stump has pushed up a new tree which I grafted over to crab again, one of my pink flowering ornamental seedling, about 14 feet tall now, this one will not be cut anymore.

I've been selling some scion wood but for next year it will jump
to...$5.00 /stick about 8 inches long, $30.00 handling plus chipping
charges.

I have bought here many years ago,..scion wood
And here...scion wood

My preferred method is bark grafting...grafting
Violetjune Zone 3
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the links Konrad. It looks like doing a lot of grafting could cost me as much as buying a new tree - but hopefully I will save myself some time. After further reading it looks like there's not much I can do on this project during the summer, so I'll start preparing for this project during the winter. Hopefully next spring I will be able to report back with some success.