Grafting A Future
Preserving and learning to graft new apple trees with Phoebe.
The Forest for Cornwall project has been working with Fat Apples to enhance facilities for me to graft apple trees. This included funding a new potting table, compost, grafting knives, labels, display stand, pens, tree ties, wheelbarrows, irrigation and watering equipment for grafting apple trees. They also provided funds to purchase an extendible pruning saw for the maintenance of our current apple trees.
The new potting table
Supplies of compost and new tubs
On-site, we have around fifteen mature Cornish trees and we hope to preserve and graft from them, selling new trees on site, all of Cornish origin. Varieties we believe to have include Pendragon, Bens red, Manaccan Primrose, Gillyflower, and Pigs nose.
Cataloging the varieties of apples we have at on-site
This next winter, we will be collecting scion wood from our Cornish apples and grafting trees, which I will be planting in gaps on site and then later selling to the public. We also hope to host grafting workshops next spring for those who wish to learn more.
Past grafting projects
For the last three winters, I have been practicing grafting my own trees, collecting my own scion wood, or buying different Cornish species. Scion wood is collected in autumn, kept dormant, and grafted to purchased rootstock in early spring.
Rootstocks
Scion wood from different Cornish trees
A recent trip to West Cornwall…spiritual Sancreed
In January 2024, myself and Mum (Jacci) ventured down west on a very wet day to an apple pruning workshop hosted by Resilient Orchard CIC. Michelle guided us through tips and techniques, especially helpful as their trees are a similar age to ours at Fat Apples.
The future: 2024 and beyond
With the recent rise in home gardening, it is important to recognise the value of our heritage crops. Plants, as with all living organisms, are susceptible to disease, and locally adapted apples are often most likely to thrive in our gardens. This coming autumn and winter I hope to graft around a hundred Cornish trees.
There is a vast array of local varieties that have not been researched, and their unique characteristics may need to be drawn upon in the future. Gardeners of all levels can search out lost local apples, preserve and learn about local history, connect with nature, and ensure precious resources are not lost.
As custodians, we must communicate through local networks, share resources, graft, plant local apples and ensure our global decline in apple diversity is prevented.