Grafting is a form of vegetative propagation that involves inserting a piece taken from a superior plant (the scion) into the trunk or branch of another plant (the rootstock). The inserted piece grows into a new plant that carries the desired characteristics of the donor variety.
The purpose of grafting is to combine excellent flowering or fruiting traits with the strength and resilience provided by the rootstock.
In this article, you will learn the best time to graft trees, important tips and precautions to follow during the process, and the different grafting techniques used in horticulture.
What Is the Best Time to Graft Trees?
The ideal time for tree grafting is late winter or early spring—before new growth begins. The suitable period comes after the risk of temperatures dropping again has passed and well before summer’s high heat arrives.
Grafting at the end of winter is especially effective because trees have not yet started budding; branches and roots are still dormant. When cuts are made during the beginning of the growth phase, they tend to heal faster. This timing also gives the plant enough opportunity to grow before entering dormancy again.
Tips and Precautions for Tree Grafting
Here are some essential guidelines to follow when grafting trees:
- The branches or cuttings (scions) used for grafting must be free of pests and diseases. Their length should be about 40 cm, with a diameter roughly equal to a pencil.
- It is recommended to store scions properly until use by wrapping them in a damp paper towel, placing them in a plastic bag, and keeping them refrigerated until spring.
- Always use sharp and sterilized knives and pruning shears when preparing scions or performing the grafting process. Clean, well-cut branches heal quickly.
- After finishing the graft, wrap the area with high-quality grafting tape. This helps prevent insects and debris from entering the wound and protects the grafted parts from falling due to weather conditions.
- Hardwood cuttings should be taken in late fall, winter, and early spring when the tree is dormant.
Softwood cuttings should only be taken in spring because they grow during this period.
Tree Grafting Techniques
Below are the main grafting methods used, depending on plant type and the goal of grafting:
- Veneer Grafting: Used mainly for evergreen trees.
- Bark Grafting: Suitable for plants with large-diameter trunks.
- Crown Grafting: Applied to produce multiple fruit varieties on a single tree.
- Bud Grafting: Uses a very small bud taken from the branch.
- Whip (Tongue) Grafting: Uses a woody branch from the tree; one of the most common methods.
