Pruning and “Top-wWork” Grafting a Mature Apple Tree

Spring growth conditions make it possible to graft new varieties to apple trees growing in your yard or orchard.

“Top-working” is the name for grafting established trees to another variety. You can add one or more varieties to a tree and keep the original variety, or you can eliminate the original variety and change the tree to something entirely new.

The morning session will provide pruning instruction and hands-on opportunity for you to practice pruning and preparing the tree for top work. The afternoon will introduce you to the tools, concepts and techniques of “top-working” and give you an in-depth demo by an experienced pro as well as a hands-on opportunity to execute a topwork graft.

We will learn how to collect scion wood for the grafts. We will have on hand the tools needed and you can gain experience with a variety of pruning saws for taking off the old top-growth, a grafting knife, grafting wax to seal the cuts, polythene tape, labelling materials, etc.

COST: TBA