Michigan/ Zone 5 guys

[Rally1148]

Hey all.

I'm planning on bark grafting this spring, but I'm not able to get up to my property to see how far along the trees are (i.e. if they've begun to leaf out/how far). I was wondering what the status of your trees were. The earliest I'll be able to get up to graft will be in a few weeks (May 6thISH). Hopefully I won't be too late!

 

[Rally1148]

NH. Thank you! I didn't forget about the "size of a squirrels ear." post :) So I know that's what I'm aiming for!

I just didn't know what the trees were looking like in my area. I've got a sargent crab here about 2 hours South, and it's just starting to break, but then again there are some other crabs around the neighborhood that haven't broken at all.

As for the frost, I think it'll be closer to May before I'm 100% clear of a night below 32°F. This is the reason that I had originally aimed for the end of April or beginning of May. I've started to move some of my ninebark and oaks outside, but I still keep an eye on the nightly temps to make sure they won't get below 36ish.

 

[Rally1148]

That's pretty interesting. I'll check that out. I'd think that since I won't be able to graft until early May, I'd be able to avoid the frost. I just can't find any way to get up there before that.

 

[deepsleep]

I'm in the same boat, Rally, as I can't get to my place in Jackson County any earlier than May 9 or so. I have scions waiting for me that I harvested the 3rd week in March. I am wondering if bark grafting can be done after the tree is full leafed out?

 

[Rally1148]

I'm a bit more north (Montcalm County) so my last frost date is usually right around the 1st week of May. So I think I'll be alright. I might make some time next weekend to go up and try some. Either way, I agree with NH. make sure you leave a nurse branch ( I know that I sure as heck will) and I think we'll be alright.

I'm in the same boat, Rally, as I can't get to my place in Jackson County any earlier than May 9 or so. I have scions waiting for me that I harvested the 3rd week in March. I am wondering if bark grafting can be done after the tree is full leafed out?

 

[deepsleep]

Yes, I will definitely leave several nurse branches. The trees I want to top work are Coldstream crabs with pea sized fruit. Some of them have golfball sized fruit. Those will get a pass. I live >1000 miles from my place, so I can't just swing by to do the work! I'm guessing now is about ideal, so there is a chance I can pull off a 3 day weekend and make a quick flight up to graft a couple dozen in the next week or 2.