Well what a moving experience it was to learn how to graft the new shoots of the old apple trees onto the living root stock.
The volunteers all enjoyed the day, it was good for them to learn some new skills and be part of something that is really going to help the orchards in the future.
Stuart came along for the day and taught us how to graft the young shoots onto the root stock, we were a little nervous to start with as we had to be quite tough with the young shoots, it was a case of shaving away the shoot into a spoon shape and then doing the opposite on the root stock, so you had a half moon shape, then strapping them together and hoping they will take.
We then lovingly planted the baby trees in the area of where the old trees are. The old trees have only been given a year to a couple of years before they die off and hopefully the new trees, we have grafted will grow to take their place and the variety of apple will not be lost forever.
Stuart is in again Sunday 22nd March if anyone is interested in learning this skill.
We will be in the orchards from 10 – 3. Grafting at 11. All are very welcome.
Orchard Project 