OLD STYLE GRAFTING:

Grafting Pecan trees goes back to the mid 1800's. It started by an old farmer using what was called a "cleft graft method". This method was very simple. Using a branch trimmer, pick from the top producing pecan trees, and a limb from a less producing tree. Cut a limb off the trees and split the limb down the middle. This method works well with a putty knife and hammer. After splitting the limb into two pieces, you have a pecan graft for 2 new trees. Now, the trick part is sealing the two graft pieces into one. Take one split limb from each of the trees and use Paraffin to combined the two limbs into one. Paraffin works very well is and is readily available to you through any vitamin store or local farming store and some nurseries. This is how pecan grafting was performed first back in the 1800's.

Recently, many studies have been performed on grafting pecan trees. One of the most used methods now is called banana grafting or four-leave grafting. This is when you use small seeding pecan trees with producing full size pecan trees to graft. They say that the perfect grafting size is 3/8" to 1" in total diameter. What was once recommended to do in the early winter months, has now been recommended to do in early spring months.

In order to do a banana graft, it requires scionwood as it's the center bonding agent. Scion-wood must be harvested before the buds swells, this is usually between mid February and early March. Cut the scion-wood in bundles and wrap them tightly covering them in a nursery type wax or paraffin works very well. Keep them cool, but not cold. A vegetable drawer in the refrigerator is perfect. Make sure your scion-wood stocks are no more then 1" in diameter or the grafting will not be accomplished properly.

NEW STYLE GRAFTING:

Step 1 of grafting is to cut the stock of the pecan tree straight across. Remember the stock should be about the same size as the scion-wood. You can cut back about six inches all lateral onto the stock.

Step 2. Carefully make four vertical cuts into the stock that are 1/2" long and evenly spaced almost like as if you quartered the limb. Go through the BARK only!

Step 3. Find a straight scion-wood and cut it to about six inches in length with two or three buds still remaining on the wood itself. Then cut the scion wood on all four sides starting from about 1 and 1/2" from the bottom of the scion end. Once again, only cut the bark!

Step 4. Peal the four flaps or the bark down and this exposes the stock.

Step 5. With something sharp, cut and disregard the exposed stock at this time. Be really careful not to accidentally cut or damage the four flaps, banana tree looking flaps.

Step 6. Sometimes forcefully push the scion up into the stock. While doing this keep the four folds open so they wrap around the end of the scion.

Step 7. At this time you can wrap the cut areas wit either plain masking tape or a flower tape. Overlap just enough to seal the end of the stock.

Step 8. Some people might cover the taped ends with aluminum foil. Or you can use cheese cloth also.

Step 9. Place the newly grafted pecan tress into a polyethylene type bag and carefully slip it down over the stock with the scion popping through the top of the bag. Now make sure to tie the bag to the scion approximately 1" above the foil or cheese cloth whatever you used. You may use any type of tape, or string to secure the bag around your new graft.

Whenever consider grafting pecan trees, remember that you want to pick from good producing stock, and not so good producing stock. This is the reason for grafting. It is to produce a sort of man made or assisted man made new variety of the Pecan Tree.

Learn more about this author, Gina Briseno.
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