How to Graft Fruit Trees With Black Cherry Trees

Grafting fruit trees can produce multiple results. Some fruit trees require grafting to produce generation after generation of consistent fruit. You can also use grafting to grow multiple varieties of fruit in the space of a single tree. Using grafting for the latter purpose allows home gardeners to grow an assortment of fruit without investing in several trees. If you use a black cherry tree as your base for this method, the whip graft is most effective.

Things You'll Need

• Dormant fruit tree scion (a piece of the previous year's growth with a few buds)
• Black cherry tree
• Grafting knife
• Grafting or electrical tape
• Grafting compound

Instructions

1. Remove a branch from the understock, or the area below where you will place your graft, leaving a foot-long stub.

2. Cut both the scion and the black cherry tree's stub at a slant. Cut at an angle that produces 1 1/2 inches of exposed wood.

3. Match the scion's and the stub's slanted surfaces together. Cut any wood that extends beyond the union, or join.

4. Wrap grafting or electrical tape around the black cherry and fruit tree union.

5. Cover the union and tape with grafting compound.

6. Remove the tape and compound as soon as the scion and stub have healed together.

Tips & Warnings

• This grafting method works best on young trees.

References

• Grafting and Budding Fruit Trees