Hawthorn - thorn apple stock (grafting)

[Fantail]

Who wouldn't want a few apple trees on their property / lease? Well growing a few from 3-4 year old trees you can buy is an option, if they are planted right and cared for. Then in a few more years start to produce. But unlike a foodplot it's a lot more comitment to time. I was talking to a friend at work who has some property and we got into a discussion about grafting. And she has had good luck with it. I found out established Hawthorn, you know the thorn apple or annoying shrub pricker tree you hate to run into - can take grafts from some wild apple, crabapple, and even some pear variety.

(ding)

So, I'm thinking possibilities; locating a 1/2 dozen of these I would normally avoid, graft them up and trim 3 years off the growing process.

[G-Man]

yes most apples can be grafted. not a bad idea, but it is more of an orchard production than wild. if your doing just a limb or two on a tree, the rest of the tree would require severe pruning for the limbs you graft to catch up. they more than likely will not produce for a few years same as a planted tree with a larger diameter trunk. for the effort and time needed to monitor your grafts and if the tree you graft it to in in the right place, i'd rather just plant a larger diameter apple and perhaps water it if need be. Now if your talking about grafting a few herloom varieties onto and existing apple for your consumption im all for it.

[Fantail]

Yes that makes sence. I'm also looking at it from knowing the property. I also don't own a 4-wheeler and can't get the jeep back where I hunt for tools & impliments. It's all hand work except for a tiller now and then. I was thinking take a hawthorn, leave a good lower nursing branch or two, cut the remaining branches and use some for cleft grafting the scions. I can get different crab, and all the wild apple scion wood I need free. Ok I might not save all that time but maybe less loss risk if it doesn't work.

Edited March 20, 2012 by Fantail

[G-Man]

I have grafted several apples (all orchard /heirloom varieties) growth is as slow or slower tham a planted tree, but yes your $ cost will be lower. than buying new trees to plant. the advantage on new trees is they have known flowering/producing /holding /ripening dates. you can do the same if you know a certaintree holds it fruit longer than surrounding trees, or flowers later to avoid a possible late frost. best of luck in what ever you decide to do!!!