Since most fruit trees do not come true from seed, vegetative or asexual propagation must be used. Cuttings taken from the majority of fruit trees are usually difficult to root; therefore, graftage is the most efficient means of reproducing them. Basically, graftage is the joining of a scion (bud or shoot) of the desired cultivar to a plant with an established root system (rootstock). Grafting is done in winter or early spring with dormant scion wood. Budding is accomplished by inserting a single bud of the desired cultivar into the stock in contact with the cambium. This procedure is usually done during the late growing season (July, August, or early September), although it may be done at other times.

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