Learning from legends: Thanks Neil Barraclough and Carolyn Gemmell
We were lucky to have Neil Barraclough, Carolyn Gemmell and Anton Boyd at Fruit Rescue HQ this month grafting dozens of heritage fruit trees while sharing their decades of knowledge with community. The range of scion choice was mind boggling and they were so generous with their time and skills - thank you so much!!!
Carolyn, Courtney and Neil all smiles after grafting possibly 100 trees!
Information collated from Heritage & Rare Fruit Network, please credit Neil Barraclough if sharing wider.
Benefits of grafting heritage fruit trees
Preservation: Ensures old and locally adapted varieties continue to thrive in Australian gardens.
Productivity: Multi-grafting enables you to grow several varieties on the same tree, maximizing production from one plant.
Resilience: Heritage varieties often possess better resistance to diseases and local climate extremes.
Community: Grafting swaps foster sharing of skills, knowledge, and plant material, and helps connect people locally.
What is grafting?
Grafting involves joining a piece of living wood (the scion), which carries the desired fruit variety, onto a compatible rootstock. This process enables you to:
Preserve and multiply rare or heritage fruit varieties.
Add new varieties to an established tree, extending the harvest season.
Repair or renew damaged or old trees with vigorous new growth.
Tools and materials
Sharp grafting knife or pruning knife
Grafting tape or budding tape
Clean secateurs
Disinfectant for tools (e.g., methylated spirits at 70% dilution with water)
Suitable rootstock (healthy, compatible with the desired variety)
Scion wood (young, dormant branch from your chosen heritage fruit tree)
Steps for grafting
Selecting and preparing scion wood
Choose healthy, disease-free shoots from the desired heritage tree.
Collect scions during late winter while trees are still dormant.
Cut scions about 10–15cm long, with several buds.
Store scions in damp paper towel inside a plastic bag in the fridge if not grafting immediately.
Preparing the rootstock
Select a young, healthy tree or rootstock compatible with your scion (e.g., apple onto apple, pear onto pear).
Make sure the rootstock is well-watered in the days before grafting.
Making the graft cut (whip and tongue method)
With clean tools, make a sloping cut (around 3cm) at the top of the rootstock.
On the scion, make a matching sloping cut at its base.
Make a small tongue cut (about 1cm) upwards on each cut surface, creating a notch so the scion and rootstock “lock” together.
Joining and securing the union
Fit the two pieces together so cambium layers (green tissue under bark) are aligned.
The pieces should be snug, with no gaps.
Wrap the join tightly with grafting tape, ensuring all exposed wood is covered to prevent drying and disease.
Finishing off
Trim excess tape if necessary.
If grafting a tree outdoors, consider applying some vaseline or similar wound paint for extra protection to stop it drying out.
Label your graft with the variety name and grafting date.
Aftercare
Keep the tree well-watered but not waterlogged.
Monitor regularly for signs of growth in spring.
Remove tape gently once the graft has “taken” and growth is vigorous (usually a few months).
Rub off any shoots growing below the graft.
Video of another grafting workshop with Neil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAlOjgO-8wM
Tips for success
Sterilise tools before use and between cuts to prevent disease transfer.
Practice your cuts on spare wood before doing your real graft.
Timing matters: late winter to early spring is best for most fruit trees in Australia.
If a graft fails, don’t be discouraged. Try again next season – experienced grafters often repeat attempts!
Cutting the wood to graft with (scion)
Choose healthy source plants
Collect scion wood only from trees or plants that are true-to-type (correct variety) and free from disease.
Best time to cut
Take scions from trees during winter when they are dormant.
Sterilising tools
Before cutting each new tree, sterilise your secateurs by dipping or wiping them with a 70% methylated spirits and 30% water solution.
This prevents the spread of diseases between trees.
Selecting suitable wood
Look for last year’s growth, which has:
More prominent buds
Younger-looking bark
The ideal thickness is similar to a pencil:
Preferred: 3–6 mm diameter
Maximum: 8 mm diameter
For specific fruit types:
Apples, pears, plums, apricots, peaches, nectarines, and quince: 3–7 mm diameter
Cherries: can be slightly thicker
Collect a range of thicknesses when possible.
Keep each variety clearly separated.
Cutting to length
Cut your scions to about 15 cm long or to fit the storage bag you are using.
Include enough pieces for your needs — extra scion is welcome if you are sharing.
Marking top and bottom (grapes and kiwifruit only)
Cut the top end on a diagonal and the bottom end flat.
This helps you remember which way up to graft them.
Moisture retention
Lightly mist scions with water using a spray bottle before sealing them in the bag.
Waxing for longer storage (optional but recommended)
Dip the cut ends of scions in molten paraffin wax (slightly above 60°C) or beeswax to extend freshness.
Do not dip terminal buds.
Lots more information on the Heritage and Rare Fruit network.
Planting your tree
Check the planting area
Before planting, select and inspect the site where the orchard will be.
Test the soil drainage
Dig a hole about 500 mm deep (similar depth to a fence post hole).
As you dig, observe and note the soil type at different depths.
Fill the hole with water.
Check water drainage after 24 hours
Return after 24 hours and see where the water level is:
The soil above the waterline is the type you’ll be planting in.
If you dig below the waterline, you create a trough that can hold water — this may cause waterlogging.
Address poor drainage
If the water level is close to the top, consider planting your tree on a raised mound to improve drainage.
Waterlogging is especially harmful for cherries, peaches, nectarines, citrus, and avocados.
Planting on slopes
If the orchard site is on a slope and you can access it with a tractor, rip the soil down the slope along the planting row.
This can help with root growth and drainage.
Avoid adding materials under the tree
Do not put compost or other materials in the planting hole before placing the tree — plant directly into the natural soil.
Books and resources
Grafting & budding – Allen Gilbert
Step-by-step manual covering grafting basics, Australian native plants, and common fruits (apples, pears, citrus, etc.). Includes techniques, tool care, diagrams, and advice for both beginners and experienced gardeners. Also covers post-graft care and multi-grafted trees.Citrus – Allen Gilbert
Focuses on growing citrus; features chapters on propagation, with specific techniques for grafting, tailored to Australian conditions.All about apples – Allen Gilbert
Comprehensive guide to growing apples in Australian conditions. Covers variety selection, planting, pruning, grafting, pest and disease management, and tips for maximising yields and flavour. Includes information for both backyard and small-scale orchard growers.
Apples old and new – Clive Winmill
Reference book detailing historic and modern apple varieties, including descriptions, origins, and taste profiles. Offers advice on selecting varieties for different uses and regions, with a focus on preserving heritage cultivars.
The grafter's handbook – R.J. Garner
Classic international reference book on grafting for all types of fruit and ornamental trees, widely regarded for its authoritative and thorough coverage of techniques.Growing & grafting fruit trees for the Aussie backyard – Craig Castree
Comprehensive, Australian-focused guide with advice on selecting varieties, pruning for shape (including espaliers), controlling pests and diseases, and multi-grafting. Explains 16 grafting techniques and provides detailed information on pollinators and flowering times.Organic fruit growing – Annette McFarlane
Detailed Australian manual on organic fruit production, with a focus on propagation and grafting methods suitable for organic gardeners. Covers a wide range of fruits.Yates garden guide – Angus & Robertson
Popular all-in-one gardening reference covering fruit, vegetables, general plant care, propagation, and practical advice for Australian gardeners.
How To Graft Trees With Craig Castree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySGkaFnSnl4
More Grafting Tips With Craig Castree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fxv74x7G9w
Scion & other sources
Buddy tape: https://vasilisgarden.com/products/buddy-tape-per-meter-50mm-perforated
