A Successful Graft

I've been wanting to learn how to graft apple trees for some years now. Last year I tried several grafts but had no luck. This spring I tried again with 4 grafts and had 1 take.

The tree that I used for the top graft was a multi-trunked volunteer apple tree sprouted from a random seedling in our horse pasture. It reliably produces a small yellow apple that hangs on well into the winter. It will make a great winter food source for the wildlife.

These two pictures were taken in mid-December showing the abundance of apples still hanging in the tree. The rootstock I used were seedlings of the Russian Antonovka a hardy standard sized tree that should provide a good long living rootstock for future hunters to enjoy on the Back40.