The bark grafting trees is a type of graft suitable for fruit trees like the olive or cherry… It is used when the trunk diameter is too large to use the bench cherry trees Graft or Cleft Graft.
Bark grafting can be used on: Cherry, Almond, Plum, Orange, Lemon, olive, apricot, grapefruit, apple, avocado…
How to grafting cherry trees ?
Bark grafting is used on cherry trees that have already reached considerable development.
We may be interested in re-grafting cherry trees in several situations:
1.- We have a wild cherry tree that barely produces.
2.- The variety of cherry that we had planted does not achieve good sale prices Poor taste, small size, insufficient post-harvest endurance …
3.- The cherry tree is unproductive or the variety does not do well in our growing area.
4.- The tree has grown excessively and makes harvesting difficult.
5.- Cherry with excessive sensitivity to cracking.
6.- We have successfully tested new varieties of cherry tree that improve performance to the one we had.
Depending on the thickness of the branch, we will have to use different grafting techniques. In this case we mainly use the crown graft. If there are small branches of interest due to their position, we can take advantage of them using the tongue grafting or grafting with a spike.
Date for bark or crown grafting
The best time to bark graft fruit trees to the crown is during the vegetative rest period.
The most appropriate time to graft cherry trees is between mid and late winter.
In what month is the cherry tree grafted?
The month of February is ideal for carrying out grafts on cherry trees. Being the optimal date to graft during the full moon. When cherry trees are grafted at the right time, the chances of success are very high.
Preparation of the plantation for bark grafting
Before we can graft our fruit trees to the bark, we need:
1.- The first step is to cut the secondary branches, leaving the main structure of the cherry tree.
2.- Use of the resulting wood and crushing of the plant remains generated.
3.- Adjust the cuts somewhat above the area that we want to graft, pressing on the branches that we are not going to graft.
4.- We apply healing paste on the wounds of the branches that we do not want to graft.
5.- We wait for the ideal conditions to bark grafting cherry trees.
Number of buds per cutting in the crown graft
The common thing is to use 2 buds per stake, so if one breaks accidentally, is stung by a bird, etc… the graft can succeed.
In very vigorous fruit trees, it is advisable to use 3 buds. It must be taken into account that a large cherry tree can produce 100 kg of cherries and supports several thousand buds. After cutting the cherry tree for grafting, all its reserves go to several dozen buds. If the graft holds well, the shoots can be excessively long and it is easy for them to break in the wind. Dividing the sap flow between 3 buds instead of 2 helps reduce shoot growth.
Another advantage of using 3 buds is that it gives more possibilities for the formation of the tree.
In addition, if one of the pegs does not grip, the gap it leaves can be more easily covered.
As against, if the graft is not done correctly or if the tree is very weak, the chances of success are reduced, in these cases it is advisable to use only 2 buds.
Bark grafting
Once we find ourselves in the ideal time to graft Corona, we will proceed to carry out the grafts.
First of all, we have to consider the tools to use: razor, hammer, healing putty, grafting tape (insulating tape, packing tape or duct tape can be used).
Then, we proceed to renew the cuts of the branches. This is essential, since during the waiting time it is likely that fungal infections have occurred or the cambium has dried out/hardened.
The cuts must be smooth and perpendicular to the growth of the branch.
Preparation of the cutting for grafting
1.- We make a wedge on one side of the cutting.
2.- We make a small cut on the opposite side, this cut is intended to facilitate the entry of the stake, preventing it from skinning.
3.- With the knife we make an incision between the cambium and the wood.
4.- Introduce carefully the stake and use a hammer to insert it with pressure.
5.- We make a cut above the last bud to eliminate the area crushed by the use of the hammer.
6.- We check that the end of the wedge is in tight contact with the trunk.
Following the previous steps we will complete our bark graft.
7.- To finish the graft we will proceed to cover the existing wounds with healing paste use for grafting.
8.- Surround the branches with packaging tape to hold the grafts and provide some insulation.
In the same way, crown grafts are performed on almond tree, plum tree, orange tree, lemon tree, olive tree, grapefruit, avocado…
Crown-bark grafted cherry tree video
In the following video you can see the state of a bark graft made on a cherry tree.
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We have translated the information on our website from Spanish to English. Please note that some words may have had their meaning altered during translation.