Bud Grafting Fruit Trees

Why can't you plant a fruit seed and grow an identical tree? It has to do with genetics. The male and female genetics combine to make something new, just like humans. By planting the seed, you won't grow an exact replica - and that's exactly why we bud and graft. We are, essentially, "cloning" the parent tree.

By taking cuttings (scion wood) from the parent tree and budding or grafting it to the rootstock, you get a tree that produces identical fruit as its predecessor. This is how some of our favorite varieties have come to market, like the Honeycrisp or Stark Golden Delicious.

Over the past 200 years, we've perfected the art of budding and grafting fruit trees. It's a labor of love, and we're so happy to share it with you!