Bark Grafting a Fruit Tree

A simple bark or "rind" graft of a plum tree. Inspired by Stephen Hayes of Fruitwise in England and all the many other people that keep the ways of the land alive.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Big Sur
• California
• plum
• orchard

[memberson]

Hello

I purchased a dwarf tree the graft that they put on at the company and I it was cherry the other two cherry trees that I purchased a doing quite well.

I am thinking of grafting those two onto the one where the graph died. Can I use candle wax to seal once I am completed grafting

thank you

[surharper]

@memberson Good question. I don't know for certain. The problem with candle wax is it will most likely be brittle and break up. What you want is something that is not toxic to the tree, that will seal well, and stay flexible. If you can't get grafting wax you can find a tar based sealant at most nurseries. A lot of professionals prefer this to grafting wax. Good luck!

[gotleb09]

@surharper hi, i'm trying to look for grafting wax or the tar sealant you mentioned in my area, but i cant find these is petroleum jelly suitable? thanks

[surharper]

@gotleb09 You might try Parafilm Grafting Tape, Lilly Miller Tree Seal or Tanglefoot Latex Tree Sealer or Towbridge grafting wax (all of these can be found online). These are only needed for grafting. You do not need to seal any pruning. It is a good idea to sterilize any cutting implements so you do not spread diseases.

[FictitiousMe]

Can you please do an update video to show how it is growing. Thanks.

[surharper]

@FictitiousMe ... I keep hoping to, but the stuff of life has kept me busy. The tree is doing well overall. It lost some of the new branches to high winds. The new branches broke off right at the graft. Since then I have kept the new/grafted branches pruned short so as to reduce their windage and give more time for the graft to heal-over and strengthen.

[peteacher52]

A useful and helpful video. thank you.

[melucs1]

Thanks for the help...good video by the way, very helpful! I saved it to my favorites to help us when we start to do some grafting.

[melucs1]

Thanks for the help...good video by the way, very helpful!

[surharper]

@melucs1 Yes, the root stock and scion should be dormant. Every area is different. Here in coastal California we can only grow low chill trees and we don't get consistent cold weather. In the middle of January we can get a hot spell that will get my apricots to blossom (bad news for the apricots). In general, I do most of my grafting in January and February... and in some years as late as March.