I have a small plot of land where a few old trees exist.
For what I could gather, these are heirloom trees no longer commercially available, probably even local varieties: one pear (possibly two), one apricot, one peach and one cherry tree.
I would like to reproduce these trees without the need to use root stock.
Talking with arborists always returned the same kind of answer: not commercially viable, too long to obtain fruiting trees and even an argument that the new trees would become “wild” and never bear fruit or only bear unedible fruit. This one I find particularly wild…
Does anyone have any sort of experience trying this? Can anyone recommend a technique?
I’ve read about a technique that recommends wrapping branches in cloth, with a lump of soil in contact with the wood to promote rooting but the trees I want to prioritize are not eligible for it as they are extremely old, with very thin and frail branches.
Are there any others you would recommend or suggest?
Pretty much. Use rooting hormone for better results.
You can’t really go wrong. Just experiment and find what soil the tree likes and it’s preferred climate.
Just means the age of the shoot. If it’s established it would be hard whereas new growth is green and soft. Both have pros and cons.
I’m currently playing around with grape vine cuttings. Hardwoods seem harder to get going but do better in the long run.
The pear tree is established so it should react well to climate and soil.
I’m going to risk and take a few cuttings as soon as possible, take a few shovels of soil from around the tree, fill some pots and stick the cuttings there.
I have a patio where I can keep the plants more closely watched and tended.
Check out YouTube vids how to do it. Take your time.
Can always ask an expert how to do it
I have talked with a few so-called experts but the focus is always on why my interest on such old trees, when I have much more commercially viable varieties readily available, and/or the work and time invested is not economically worthy of the effort.
It’s a die hard mentality of turning a profit when my concern is conservation.
Fair enough. Don’t see why it would make a difference. If they just use the same techniques. Would be same process. Can ask them to show you the profitable variety and then just use the same for any other tree
They want me to chuck aside my trees to buy from them.
Don’t sound like experts then. More salesman.
Once you have a single tree you have unlimited trees. Can take cuttings for life.
That’s the experts I have available, unfortunately. Amateur gardeners no longer worry developing the skills others would as it has become simpler to just buy trees from nurseries. The professionals become formatted.
True but hobbyist would