I have a small plot of land where a few old trees exist.
For what I could gather, these are heirloom trees no longer commercially available, probably even local varieties: one pear (possibly two), one apricot, one peach and one cherry tree.
I would like to reproduce these trees without the need to use root stock.
Talking with arborists always returned the same kind of answer: not commercially viable, too long to obtain fruiting trees and even an argument that the new trees would become “wild” and never bear fruit or only bear unedible fruit. This one I find particularly wild…
Does anyone have any sort of experience trying this? Can anyone recommend a technique?
I’ve read about a technique that recommends wrapping branches in cloth, with a lump of soil in contact with the wood to promote rooting but the trees I want to prioritize are not eligible for it as they are extremely old, with very thin and frail branches.
Are there any others you would recommend or suggest?
What is your goal? Are you trying to maintain these exact varietals for sentimental reasons? Or do you just want good tasting fruit?
Root stock is a legitimate concern. If the existing trees are clones grown on root stock, any new plants grown from cuttings may not do well. I say that because if the main plant were able to thrive without root stock, it likely would have been grown that way in the first place.
Once you clarify your goals we should be able to provide some suggestions.
It’s essentially impossible to determine if at some point any of the trees was multiplied by cloning or came true from seed. All are well over the 70/80 years old mark and whoever originally planted us long dead and buried.
I have no reason to say clones would not be able to thrive. I have the patience and room to care for whatever number of clones necessary to maintain these trees, for how long it takes for the plants to mature enough to withstand transplanting to open ground.
All of the trees bear fruit as is and all is of good quality so maintaining the trees is both an effort to maintain heirloom varieties and have good quality fruit. I have no commercial objective.