How to Graft to a Tree Stump

Lemon and orange trees, both citrus, can be grafted together.

Grafting is the process of surgically bonding new plants onto old stumps to create a healthy new tree. Grafting will only work with compatible plants that are in the same genus. This means that you can combine an orange and a lemon tree, because they are both citrus. However, you cannot combine a pine and an oak tree because they each belong to a different genus. The best time of year to graft a tree stump is in late spring, when the bark of the tree is slippery.

Things You'll Need

• Chain saw
• Scion wood
• Grafting knife
• Grafting sealant
• Paint brush
• Grafting tape

Instructions

1. Trim the first 3 inches from the stump with a chainsaw to provide a fresh, pest-free grafting site.

2. Trim the bottom of the scion wood so that it forms a slanted point. Try to make this a single cut, if possible.

3. Trim back a pocket in the trunk's wood that is as long as the scion's cut with your grafting knife.

4. Gently slide the scion into the pocket, placing the freshly cut side of the scion against the inside of the trunk, away from the bark. Keep sliding it into place until you can no longer push it any further. The scion should be sturdily in place inside the trunk.

5. Paint the entire graft site with grafting sealant. This will keep the area moist and protect it from bugs.

6. Wrap grafting tape around the grafting site if the branch does not stay firmly in place.

References

• HortResearch: Re-Grafting to a New Variety
• Your Small Kitchen Garden: Strategies for Grafting Fruit Trees
• University of California Agriculture and Natural Resource: Grafting California Native Oaks

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish