Rootless Gala Tree - Ask Extension
Recently I was given a failed Gala apple tree graft. It seems that they had tried to graft nearly a 7ft scion onto their rootstock which had failed to...
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Rootless Gala Tree #869105
Asked May 19, 2024, 1:42 PM EDT
Recently I was given a failed Gala apple tree graft. It seems that they had tried to graft nearly a 7ft scion onto their rootstock which had failed to take. So now I have a large Gala tree with no roots and I'm not sure if there is anything I can do to put it to use. I've been storing it in wet woodchips but I can't imagine it will last much longer without any roots. At this point in the season is there anything I can do with this tree to somehow create a Gala tree from it eventually? Thank you!
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
I doubt there is anything you can do. When grafting an apple tree, a small branch is taken in the early spring and with angled cuts made both on the branch and the rootstock, they are matched, then wrapped, sometimes wax is also used. You don't have rootstock and the wood is too old.