Question

Which method of grafting is used for reworking old fruit tree?

• A. Whip and tongue
• B. Cleft grafting
• C. Splice
• D. Wedge grafting

Hint:

When reworking old fruit trees (topworking), the existing branches (stock) are often much thicker than the new scions.
Cleft grafting is ideal for this: a split is made in the larger stock, and smaller, wedge-shaped scions are inserted.
Whip and tongue or splice grafting are for when scion and stock are similar in size.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Reworking old fruit trees (also called topworking) involves changing the cultivar of an established tree by grafting new scions onto its main branches or trunk. The choice of grafting method depends on the size of the stock (branches of the old tree).
(1) Whip and tongue grafting: Best suited when the scion and stock are of similar, relatively small diameter (e.g., pencil-thick). Not ideal for large branches of old trees.
(2) Cleft grafting: This method is commonly used for topworking older trees where the stock branches are much larger in diameter than the scions. A cleft (split) is made in the cut end of the stock branch, and one or two wedge-shaped scions are inserted into the cleft.
(3) Splice grafting: A simple method where diagonal cuts are made on scion and stock of similar diameter. Not suitable for large stock.
(4) Wedge grafting (similar to saddle grafting or sometimes used synonymously with cleft grafting if the scion is wedge-shaped): If referring to a method distinct from cleft for large branches, it's less common than cleft for this purpose. Cleft grafting is the standard for inserting smaller scions into larger stock. For reworking old fruit trees with established, thicker branches, cleft grafting is a very common and effective method. Bark grafting is another method used for large stock. Cleft grafting