North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Richard Moyer <ramoyer@gmail.com>]

Ginda,
You can find dormant buds in May.  Often at the base of wood from the
previous 1-2 years.  Most of the buds above, having broken dormancy, are
keeping these buds from growing, holding them in reserve.  These are where
new branches arise if the outer part of the shoot is cut or broken off.

Then bud these dormant buds onto another apple for 'safekeeping'.

In our area, there are multiple grafting workshops put on each March and
early April, where apple rootstock can be purchased cheaply, in small
quantity.  You could keep this rootstock moist and refrigerated, and graft
onto 1-2 of these  during May as another option.  Would need extra care if
setting it out that late, but could be done.

Richard Moyer
SW VA


> Ginda Fisher wrote:
> > My husband's uncle died this winter, leaving his "house in the country"
> (the Catskills) to my husband. I would like to try to rescue a seedling
> apple tree that the uncle planted as a youth. It has no commercial value,
> since the fruits all ripen at different times, and only keep for a few
> hours after dropping from the tree. But the fruits (when fresh) are very
> tasty, and the tree has sentimental value.
> >
> > It's a large mature tree, and there's no way I can possibly dig it up,
> and no way to transport it, and no place to plant it, even if I
> miraculously did dig it up. I would like to retrieve some of it and graft
> it onto an apple tree in my back yard. But the timing is awkward (I think.)
> The will hasn't been probated, and once it is probated, my husband plans to
> sell the property. The only time I know I can get there and have legal
> access is in May. On the other hand, I suppose I could remove as much of
> the tree as I want in May.
> >
> > Any advice?
>
>
> Yeah, my advice would be to sneak in there and grab some dormant scion
> wood before it's too late. In that location, by early April I would think.
> If that's just not possible, then plan B should be to wait until later
> and collect wood for some bud grafts. Graft or bud onto some vigorous
> sprouts on your tree. It doesn't matter, this year, if place them where
> you really want the grafts to be. Your goal for this year should be to
> get it started anywhere on your property so you will have scion wood
> right there for next year, or the year after.
>
> Steve (in the Adirondacks)
>
>
> --