Grafting & Scionwood

A Brief History of Apple Tree Grafting

Apple trees in the fog

The practice of grafting fruit trees stretches back over 3,000 years, with early records from ancient China and the Mediterranean world. Greek and Roman agriculturalists — including Theophrastus and later Pliny the Elder — documented grafting techniques as essential to orchard keeping. It was already known that apple trees are not "true to type"; in other words, every generation changes its genetic code through fertilization with another tree. That's why planting an apple seed creates a whole new type of tree and will not produce the same apple from which the seed was gathered. By the medieval period, European monasteries were preserving prized apple varieties through careful grafting, passing scionwood from generation to generation. Without grafting, the heritage varieties we prize today — bittersweet cider apples, rare dessert cultivars, centuries-old regional selections — would simply have been lost to time.

• Season: late March → mid May • Shipping: Canada only
Newly grafted apple tree

Top 3 Grafting Methods

Whip-and-Tongue Graft

The most widely used method for joining scion and rootstock of similar diameter (pencil-thick). Both pieces are cut at matching long diagonal angles, then interlocking "tongues" are carved to lock them together. Ideal for dormant wood in early spring, it creates a strong, well-aligned union with excellent cambium contact.

Cleft Graft

Best suited when the rootstock is significantly thicker than the scion. The rootstock is cut straight across and split down the centre; two scions are wedge-cut and inserted into either side of the cleft. A reliable method for top-working established trees or working with larger-diameter stock.

Bark (Rind) Graft

Used in late spring when the bark is actively "slipping" away from the wood. The scion is cut to a long, smooth bevel and slid beneath the loosened bark of the rootstock. Multiple scions can be inserted around a large stump, making it efficient for re-grafting mature trees onto new varieties.

Alternatives

Many new grafting tools have become available in recent years that make grafting easier and can be performed by more people than ever before. These tools involve selecting a rootstock and a scion of the same diameter, then cutting each into a V-notch or Omega shape (the most common) and matching the two ends together, being sure that the cambium layers make contact. The graft is then secured with biodegradable grafting tape.

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Grafting FAQ

What is scionwood?

Scionwood is a dormant cutting taken from a specific apple variety. When grafted onto a rootstock, it grows into that variety, preserving the tree's genetics and fruit characteristics.

When to graft

Grafting using scionwood is done in spring, as rootstocks begin to wake up and push nutrients up into the tree. Scionwood must still be dormant when used and timing varies by region: aim for cool conditions and avoid active budbreak on the scion.

Storage & handling

Keep scionwood cool and moist to maintain dormancy and prevent dehydration. Refrigeration is ideal, however do not put scions in the same fridge that has contained apples without cleaning first: apples release ethylene gas, which will kill the scions. It is best to graft your scions as soon as possible after receiving them.

Tip: keep them in a sealed bag with a slightly damp paper towel (not wet).

What you receive

Your scions will be labelled according to their varietal. Each scion is approximately 4 inches long and contains a minimum of 3 buds. This will easily graft one new tree.

Success tips
  • Use a clean, sharp tool and make confident cuts.
  • Match cambium layers as closely as possible.
  • Seal and wrap well to prevent drying out.
  • Label immediately (variety mix-ups are common).
  • Protect the graft union by tightly wrapping with a quality biodegradable grafting tape (we use Parafilm). The graft needs moderate tension when the tape is applied in order to heal.