When discussing apple rootstocks and cultivars, understanding the terminology used to describe the tree is important. All apple trees purchased from nurseries are grafted or budded, meaning that there are at least two distinct parts of the tree. The scion is the above ground or vegetative portion of a grafted or budded tree comprised of the trunk, branches, leaves, and fruit. The scion is the cultivar or the part of the tree that has name recognition such as Gala or …
I want to espalier an apple tree along a garage wall. What rootstock should I use?
Espalier is a technique of pruning and training apples in two dimensions, usually against a flat surface such as a wall or fence. The rootstock that you choose needs to induce enough vigor in the scion cultivar so that growth occurs but does not produce a tree with too much vigor. The environment where you are located will alter this decision. The colder, northern areas of the United States — that is, USDA hardiness zones 3 and 4 (look up …
Why do nurseries use budding versus grafting?
Budding is often used because a single scion bud is inserted into the rootstock to produce a new tree. Also, with budding, many trees can be produced from a stick of bud wood that has different sized buds.
In contrast, a piece of scion wood with two buds is used in grafting, and the diameter of the rootstock and the scion piece must match precisely to form a union. Thus, fewer trees can be propagated by grafting as compared to …
When should apple trees be budded?
Budding time will depend on where you live and the type of budding technique you use. Traditional timing in the northern hemisphere above 36 degrees latitude, roughly the Virginia-North Carolina border, would be to bud trees in late August to early September, when the bark readily “slips.” Slipping refers to the ability of the bark to be easily and smoothly pulled away from the heartwood of the tree. When this occurs, “T-budding” or “chip budding” can be performed. If you …