Wednesday, August 8, 2012

343 Grafted Nut trees in Kentucky

Took these pictures in a park on the campus of the University of Kentucky in Lexington this week. I was kind of taken by how they used trees like shagbark hickory and black walnut for the base of these trees and then grafted other type nut trees on the top. I have been reading some stuff on google about grafting of trees. It really does not look that hard to do with a little study or training I think I could be doing it...May contact Purdue forestry dept and see if they ever do classes on grafting trees. I bet they do and it would be a thrill I think to master it and then actually see you work turn out good.
I think the main trees that get grafting done on them are nut and fruit trees...and I guess most trees we buy at least fruit trees are the product of grafting. I just thought it was a really neat subject and picture to see the different textures and bark color where the two trees meet. I guess from the reading I have done you always use a smaller tree to graft on to a larger one thus the bottoms end up the biggest which does seem quite logical.
I notice these trees when Matt, Jill, Susan and I walked through the park last fall and just had to return to photo them for a small blog story. Sure if I learn and get into grafting there will be sequels ahead. Well maybe not if do not have the nack for doing this work...