Branch Graft - Trident Maple

tom_termine

A little advice, please:

I have a trident maple that I have always considered branch grafting to improve, but I have always been too busy/apprehensive to attempt. It has the need for a branch on its right side and, conveniently, there is a branch that I have allowed to grow crossing behind the trunk from the left side (to the right). If you look at the tree (not too closely) it appears as if that branch is growing out of the right side of the trunk (but it is not). I have always wanted to graft that branch to the trunk so that is actually is growing out of the right side of the trunk.

Is it too late in the season to be considering this now? If it isn't, what would be the best approach - do I need to drill through the trunk and thread it, or can I simply notch the trunk and secure it that way? Can anyone recommend a book or website that clearly steps me through this process?

Thanks in advance!

__________________
Tom

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Jerry Meislik

Tom,
Tridents should be easy to graft, nearly as easy as Ficus. This time of year should be fine. Check out various grafting techniques on my site at
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/GraftingFigs.html
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/rex/AdvancedGrafts1.html
Hope that these help.
Jerry

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Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

tom_termine

One question - when you make this statement, what do you mean?

"Again the cambium layers of host and graft are matched as closely as possible." I will need to shave off the bark and phloem from the branch (still attached to the tree, btw) and place it into the groove I cut in the trunk - and align that shaved area on the branch with the opening in the trunk? Anything more to it than that?

Thanks.

__________________
Tom

Jerry Meislik

Yes.
Jerry

__________________
Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

bonsaikc

Nice

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Sashi-no-eda.blogspot.com

tom_termine

I read a chapter in Peter Loubser's book on grafting. He suggests that the sap flow of the branch and the trunk (recipient) must be in the same direction. This, of course, is not ideal for what I want to do. It forces you to graft the branch on pointing upward (vertically) in the same direction as the trunk vs. horizontally (perpendicular to the trunk). Any opinion on the odds of succeeding with a perpendicular graft? Do I need to graft the branch on pointing upward, then bend it down with wire?

Thanks in advance for opinions.

__________________
Tom