A Detailed Guide to Two Methods of Grafting Chestnut Trees

The “side graft method” and the “cut graft method” are introduced as follows:

The side graft method is a grafting method in which the trunk is not cut in autumn. This method can be used for both seedlings and tall grafting of large trees.

The specific procedure is:

1. Opening the rootstock. At about 7 cm from the ground on the rootstock, on the straight side, make a light downward cut, about 3 cm long, slightly into the wood, forming an incision where the rootstock bark remains connected to the seedling trunk, separated at the top and joined at the bottom.

2. Cutting the scion. First cut the scion stick into sections with two buds, 4-6 cm long. For the first cut, make a long cut surface 3-3.5 cm long on the lower part of the scion; it must be straight, smooth, and reach deep into the wood. For the second cut, on the opposite side of the long cut surface, make a short horse-ear-shaped bevel 0.5-1 cm long, at a 40-degree angle to the long cut surface. For the third cut, above the horse-ear-shaped bevel, make a flat cut surface 2-2.5 cm long, parallel to the long cut surface. Then insert the scion into the incision in the rootstock, with the long cut surface facing inward, and cover the short bevel and the upper flat cut surface of the scion with the rootstock bark, so that the cut surfaces of the rootstock and scion heal tightly together. Use plastic film tape to seal and tie the wound of the rootstock and scion tightly. After the graft has taken and the scion buds sprout in spring, cut off the tail end of the rootstock at 0.5 cm above the graft union, and use a knife to slit the binding plastic tape to loosen it.

The cut graft method is suitable for use in spring when the sap of the rootstock has not yet begun to flow or when the rootstock is relatively small.

1. Method of opening the rootstock: At a straight and smooth place about 5-6 cm from the ground on the rootstock, cut it off and smooth the cut surface; on the straight side of the cross-section, gently make a short bevel about 0.1 cm long from bottom to top, and between the wood and phloem of the short bevel, cut vertically downward a cut surface 3-3.5 cm long, forming an incision where the rootstock bark remains connected to the seedling trunk, separated at the top and joined at the bottom. 2. Method of cutting the scion: same as the side graft method. When grafting, likewise insert the prepared scion into the incision on the cut surface of the rootstock. If the rootstock and scion differ in size, align one side so that the two are closely joined. After grafting, use a plastic tape to seal and wrap the wound of the rootstock and scion, but the scion buds must remain exposed.