Fruit Tree Question

[DiggerSean]

I need some advice on fruit trees that I've recently purchased off e-bay (I know, I know ) The seller claims that the trees are quality stock from a specialist fruit nursery.
I've ordered a number of fruit trees including a few apple trees growing on M27 root stock and a cherry tree growing on Gisele rootstock, amongst other things.

All stock is guaranteed to be true to name.

The issue I have is that I can't see any obvious grafting points on these trees. I'm no expert but every fruit tree I have ever bought (which is quite a few) always have an obvious graft union.

The question is, has anyone else ever bought fruit trees where the grafting point isn't easy to see? I've contacted the seller who claims that the trees are root grafted so the grafting union won't be obvious. Is this a new grafting technique because I can't find any information about this technique. Hoping someone in the community will be able to shine some light on the subject

Thanks in advance
Sean

[Bacchus]

I can't help with your query I'm afraid - but I always heard not to bury the roots above the graft join - which seems to go against this particular sellers idea.

[sparrow100]

Never heard of root grafting. I'd say the same as Bacchus - if you bury the tree below the graft it will root and make the whole grafting process pointless.

I smell a rat...

[DiggerSean]

I think I may have bought expensive rootstock, but I may be wrong

[FB.]

The issue I have is that I can't see any obvious grafting points on these trees.

Do you have the trees or are you just going by a picture from the seller?

If you have the trees, take several pictures of one of them (an apple would be easier as more of us on here will have seen more apples than anything else).
Pictures required:
1. Picture showing the trunk and where the lowest branches join.
2. Picture zooming in on where a couple of the lowest branches join the trunk.
3. Picture of the trunk between the lowest branches and ground level.
4. Close-up picture of the bottom foot (30cm) of the trunk.
5. Close-up picture from a couple of inches above ground to where the uppermost roots join.

Which varieties are they supposed to be?

[FB.]

I think I may have bought expensive rootstock, but I may be wrong

If you have, you could graft them yourself in the next few weeks.

[DiggerSean]

Thanks FB, I'm at work at the moment but will take some photo's at some point....when it's light.

The apples are supposed to be Egremont Russet, Limelight and Bountiful on M27 rootstock. I have them already and would like to grow them as step overs. The cherry is supposed to be Summer Sun.

If they are just expensive rootstock I would love to try grafting, but I don't have these varieties and would need to source some scion material, it's getting a bit late for that.

[FB.]

Thanks FB, I'm at work at the moment but will take some photo's at some point....when it's light.

The apples are supposed to be Egremont Russet, Limelight and Bountiful on M27 rootstock. I have them already and would like to grow them as step overs. The cherry is supposed to be Summer Sun.

If they are just expensive rootstock I would love to try grafting, but I don't have these varieties and would need to source some scion material, it's getting a bit late for that.

It would be bizarre for someone to send out ungrafted or own-rooted trees. If they've gone to the trouble of acquiring rootstock they might as well graft them.

As trees are still dormant you can still get scionwood for a few weeks yet. I have neither pruned my trees nor grafted any new ones yet this winter. I'd say there's still several weeks for apple grafting, although cherries I'd suspect less (and I suppose they might prefer summer bud grafting anyway).

What were the reasons for selecting the varieties you did? Would you be open to other varieties? If so, myself and various others on this forum has some weird and wonderful ones.
Cue Yummersetter popping in to praise Peasgood's Nonsuch.

[fishpond]

DD
Could you also give the approx diameters at base of trees and 7" above that Dia?

[yummersetter]

I have a cubic metre of lucky dip prunings, about 50 varieties. I've saved a handful of Red Melba sticks and still have Kidd's Orange Red and the top shoots of a dozen others ( might include Peasgood!) that will need pruning from a ladder.

[DiggerSean]

Not quite sure how to get photos on here from my phone but here goes...

[DiggerSean]

And some more

[FB.]

Is that a grafting scar near the blue label??

I put up some pictures of newly grafted trees last summer:
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ees_79924.html

And here's a picture from a few years ago - D'Arcy Spice grafted onto seedling roots with a pale diagonal scar showing the point of grafting:

[DiggerSean]

It could be a failed bud graft I guess. There are a couple of these on the tree, that are only on one side and are not grafts as such with no scarring all the way through/round. I now have a feeling that these trees may have been top bud grafted, do you think that's plausible FB?

[fishpond]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...204_162718.jpg
Doesn't look too bright, coming from a professional nursery?