Q&A for How to Graft a Tree

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  • Question
    When is the best time to graft peach trees?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    The best time to graft peach trees is during the Spring, when the bark is 'slipping'.
  • Question
    Can I graft a peach cutting to a plum tree?
    Community Answer
    You can make a tongue and groove graft to connect most types of closely related trees to the base of a more productive rootstock ( in your case, both are stone fruits). Do it while they are dormant. You may also take a budwood graft which has a higher success rate and is much easier. I graft apples in New York and have 2 trees with over 6 varieties of apples between the two - all done with budwood.
  • Question
    Can I graft a grapefruit on my olive trunk?
    Community Answer
    Trees need to be compatible and of the same kind. You can graft a grapefruit on a citrus tree, orange or lemon tree, etc.
  • Question
    Can I graft two very different tree types?
    Community Answer
    No. They have to be in the same family, like apple and peach.
  • Question
    Can oranges be grafted onto lemon trees?
    Community Answer
    Like others have already pointed out, grafting is mostly possible with trees of the same family. Oranges and lemons belong to the same citrus fruit family and can perfectly be grafted.
  • Question
    Can I graft a cedar elm in the fall?
    Community Answer
    It's better to graft in the spring, but if your plant is in good shape, you can graft it in the fall.
  • Question
    Is it possible to have more than one fruit on a tree at a time by doing one of these methods?
    Community Answer
    Theoretically, yes, that would be possible.
  • Question
    What root stock should I use to graft a tree?
    Community Answer
    This will depend on the type of tree, as well as the area in which you live.
  • Question
    When do we put the scions on the fridge and when do we take them out for grafting?
    Community Answer
    It is best to do this in early spring, when the buds have just begun to swell on outside trees.
  • Question
    If I have a maple tree and I want it to have branches on the lower parts of the trunk, can I graft it onto itself to get new branches?
    Community Answer
    Yes, by using chip budding or t-budding. However, grafting is mostly used for plants of different species.
  • Question
    When is the best time to graft my apple tree?
    Community Answer
    Any time of the year would be great. However, If you want to get apples as soon as you graft, graft the tree at least a month before the time of harvest.
  • Question
    is it possible to graft plants of different families?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is, but the chances of the grafting being successful are lower than if grafting plants in the same family.
  • Question
    Can I graft a pine or oak tree?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can graft either of these trees. You could even graft the two of them together.
  • Question
    Which method would be best for grafting an avocado tree?
    Community Answer
    You would need a tree that is in the same family, like an apricot tree. It is part of the Laurel tree family.
  • Question
    Does the grafting take place on the branches?
    Community Answer
    Grafting takes place wherever you grafted, but yes, it does work best on branches.
  • Question
    Can I graft more than two types of trees together?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but for best results, grafting with trees within the same family, like grafting peaches, apricots and plums together or grapefruit, lemon and lime has the highest chance of success.
  • Question
    How do I graft white wisteria onto purple wisteria?
    Community Answer
    You can graft flowers the same way you graft other plants. However, it's best to use the graft budding method.
  • Question
    How long does it take to get fruit when grafting a tree?
    Community Answer
    It is depends on what type of tree you are grafting, but in general, it takes around three to nine months.
  • Question
    I have a two year old indoor lemon tree with branches on one side only, and I would like to shorten a couple of the branches from one side and graft the cuttings to the bare side. How do I do this?
    Community Answer
    Cut off part of the branch, make the cuts using chip grafting on the branchless side, and stick the extra branches there. Make sure they get nutrition from the rootstock; don’t put too many branches on.
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