Reproducing old tree varieties
Reproducing old tree varieties
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?
What is your goal? Are you trying to maintain these exact varietals for sentimental reasons? Or do you just want good tasting fruit?
Root stock is a legitimate concern. If the existing trees are clones grown on root stock, any new plants grown from cuttings may not do well. I say that because if the main plant were able to thrive without root stock, it likely would have been grown that way in the first place.
Once you clarify your goals we should be able to provide some suggestions.
It's essentially impossible to determine if at some point any of the trees was multiplied by cloning or came true from seed. All are well over the 70/80 years old mark and whoever originally planted us long dead and buried.
I have no reason to say clones would not be able to thrive. I have the patience and room to care for whatever number of clones necessary to maintain these trees, for how long it takes for the plants to mature enough to withstand transplanting to open ground.
All of the trees bear fruit as is and all is of good quality so maintaining the trees is both an effort to maintain heirloom varieties and have good quality fruit. I have no commercial objective.
The propagation method you mentioned is called air layering and it might work for you if done right (lots of videos out there show how to do it). Another possible option is taking cuttings from new growth (lots of videos on this too). Some trees respond better than others to each method. You could also try taking seeds from the fruit and growing them, but if the source tree was grafted, the seeds won't give you what you're looking for and you won't know for a very long time.
I would probably start with cuttings unless the trees need to be pruned anyway, in which case I would put some air layers on the branches that need to be pruned. As mentioned, the tree may not be as hardy on its own roots if it was grafted, but many grafted trees are just fine on their own roots.
If they are old trees. Might not have been grafted.
Even if the fruit bearing wood was grafted onto a root stock, let's take has an example a pear grafted onto a quince, seeds taken from the pear would manifest the gene pool of the pear. Quince genes would not manifest. But I wouldn't get the exact same pears I would be taking seeds from due to genetic recombination. Cloning is the only option.
The only tree I think is apt for getting air layering is the cherry but the others are too frail to have their branches loaded, so I'll try taking cuttings first.
Why not just take cuttings ? I assume you can grow pear from cuttings. Not sure on the others
Cuttings just requires taking endings of branchs and setting it on soil, correct?
The pear tree is on the top of the priority list.
No not really. Depending on type of tree. Can look at softwood or hardwood cuttings. Depending on climate and soil type.
If the trees gas new growth then that's a good place to start. Season also impacts cuttings.
They are kinda hit or miss. But they are generally the easiest to work with and will be true to parent. As long as branch is above graft line. Don't take cuttings from the bottom of trunk.