Side Veneer Graft

This video covers how to make a side veneer graft. While white pine is used in the video, this graft is nearly universal and can be used on deciduous species including conifers.

[@WorldRockumentaryChannel]

I have a mondell pine tree. The tip died back someone forgot to water it in the summer months. I quickly snipped the tip and sprayed prunning seal on the severed tip. So now I have about an 8 inch stud with sealer on the tip. This stud is till alive because of the sealer. I want to splice a new tip into this living sealed stud. My idea is to harvest this new tip from the same tree of course. How would I do this? My thought is to cut the sealed tip off and expose the newly fresh stud, then graft the new branch into this exposed cut stud tip. Is this possible? What are the success rates? Can I drill in the center of the fresh cut stud, strip the new branch graft and place in the hole? Or slice the tip and slip the branch to marry it with itself? I called the local nursery and they don't do this kind of thing... Any Idea's, Thanks

[@Paul_Snyder]

Great question. First, I would double check to make sure the tip is still alive by scraping the bark with your fingernail. If you see green underneath, then it is alive and can be grafted. The best time to graft any pine is during dormancy. The side veneer graft shown in this video would be the best option. Apical whip-and-tongue and cleft grafts are uncommon on conifers due to their low success rate. The side veneer graft is the most common for top-working conifers like this. The understock portion above the graft union is cut back to the graft once the graft has started to grow. Once you make the graft be sure to keep the entire thing humid and the roots moist.

[@lily-annevereecken53]

When is the best time to graft conifers?

[@Paul_Snyder]

The best time is during dormancy. In Ohio I prefer to graft between January and the end of February at the latest.

[@steveharjula3949]

@@Paul_Snyder Great video! When do you take your scion wood? How do you store it till grafting time?

[@Paul_Snyder]

@@steveharjula3949 Thank you, Steve! When it comes to conifers I collect in December through January and graft ASAP. When it comes to deciduous things, I usually graft February through March and also try to graft ASAP, but these scions can be stored up to four weeks by dipping the cut ends in parafin wax, placing them in a sealed and held in cold storage until ready. The Bench Grafter's handbook is a very good book if you're going to do a lot of grafting.

[@themidger1]

This is a silly question but why are pines always side veneer grafted? I’ve seen examples of cleft grafting for field grafted pines, my guess is the SV produces a better looking final result for ornamental varieties?

[@Paul_Snyder]

It is the most effective type of graft for conifers.