Heirloom scionwood

From time to time I am flattered by questions from readers who assume I know more than I do, especially about growing apples. (My expertise lies in the eating part of the process.)

Thanks to some other readers, who do know a thing or two, I am pleased to pass on the following sources for scionwood, also know as budwood, for older varieties.

Apple varieties do not run true from fruit to seed to tree, so they are propagated by grafting scionwood onto rootstock. Each graft is in effect the same tree, daughter of one singular seed.

These trees do not live forever, and if no one grows them an apple variety cannot be bred again.

Tower Hill sells budwood from its heirloom orchard, including many varieties that are scarce on the ground today. Fedco, a coop in Maine, offers more than 100 varieties, including many antiques and heirlooms. Both charge $3 per stick.

Also, save March 27 on your calendar. It's the date this year [2011] of the annual Seed Swap & Scion Exchange sponsored by the Maine Organic Gardeners and Farmers Association.

If you are wondering what to do with your scionwood, Kevin Hauser over at Apples and Oranges has prepared this video (among others) showing you how to graft. Better order some rootstock while you are at it.

Kevin makes grafting look easy (and fun), but if you are skittish Fedco will sell you whole trees. Other nurseries such as Trees of Antiquity sell trees too.

Better order soon, though; this is the time of year to plan and to buy, and budwood does sell out.

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Growing these old apples, or any apples for that matter, is a glad thing. I cheer for apple farmers great and small.

To them I say: Once you have planted and grown and pruned these trees and tended and harvested their fruits, should you need any help in the eating department, I stand ready to do my part.

Thanks to Karelj for putting his lovely photo of living grafted budwood in the public domain.