Uploaded May 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How to Graft an Apple Tree to new & Heirloom varieties with superior frameworking technique v.s. top working. Topworking damages the tree more and takes longer to come back into bearing than framework grafting.
Clippers: Barnel B-808 - My favorite, except the latches wear out. Better designed and more ergonomic than felco's I've used. amzn.to/2DRfT6F
Saw: Silky F-180. my favorite back pocket saw. amzn.to/2Y7CfIG
Grafting Knife: Victorinox Garden Knife. It's affordable, comes sharp, great quality and hard to lose with the neon color. amzn.to/2PP6MrR
Grafting Paint: Doc Farwell's Graft Seal, Available in Gallons and Quarts. Dries fast, not too smelly, flexible.
The grafting "tape" is strips of plastic bag, watch video on household grafting supplies: youtu.be/WrayO1ePKAs
Grafting Series: youtu.be/3uJACcsOmMI
Interstem Grafting Series: youtu.be/mjcWqLP65HM
Support on patreon.com/skillcult has been critical in keeping me experimenting and making content. If you want to help me help others, this is probably the best way to do it. Thank you Patrons for supporting the mission!
Buy less, but buy it through my links! Shopping through my affiliate links generates revenue for me, at no extra cost to you, click links here, or go to my Amazon Store page: skillcult.com/amazon-store But seriously, buy less, do more.
Standard gear I recommend. I either use or have used all of it.
Council Tool Boys Axe: amzn.to/3z0muqI
Bahco Farmer's File: amzn.to/3Hbdhij
King two sided sharpening stone: amzn.to/32EX1XC
Wiebe 12” fleshing tool: amzn.to/3sB0qSl
Atlas Elbow Gloves: amzn.to/3FwB5g6
BOOKS:
The Axe Book, by Dudley Cook: amzn.to/32kx7sN
Bushcraft, by Mors Kochanski: amzn.to/32q2rpT
Subscribe to my channel for more insightful Self Reliance related content: youtube.com/skillcult/subscribe Click the bell icon to be notified of new content. Subscribing doesn’t mean that much on it’s own.
Blog and website: skillcult.com/blog
Instagram and Facebook @SkillCult
It is possible to change a whole tree to grow new varieties by grafting. I favor frameworking, or framework grafting over the more common top working technique. Frameworking replaces the fruiting wood by grafting onto smaller stubs, but it retains the structure of the tree. Frameworked trees are less subject to rot in the cuts, come back into bearing quickly and allow you to put on more different new varieties at one time. You can use cleft grafts, whip and tongue grafts, bark grafts, side grafts and others.
How to Graft an Apple Tree to new & Heirloom varieties with superior frameworking technique v.s. top working. Topworking damages the tree more and takes longer to come back into bearing than framework grafting.
Clippers: Barnel B-808 - My favorite, except the latches wear out. Better designed and more ergonomic than felco's I've used. amzn.to/2DRfT6F
Saw: Silky F-180. my favorite back pocket saw. amzn.to/2Y7CfIG
Grafting Knife: Victorinox Garden Knife. It's affordable, comes sharp, great quality and hard to lose with the neon color. amzn.to/2PP6MrR
Grafting Paint: Doc Farwell's Graft Seal, Available in Gallons and Quarts. Dries fast, not too smelly, flexible.
The grafting "tape" is strips of plastic bag, watch video on household grafting supplies: youtu.be/WrayO1ePKAs
Grafting Series: youtu.be/3uJACcsOmMI
Interstem Grafting Series: youtu.be/mjcWqLP65HM
Support on patreon.com/skillcult has been critical in keeping me experimenting and making content. If you want to help me help others, this is probably the best way to do it. Thank you Patrons for supporting the mission!
Buy less, but buy it through my links! Shopping through my affiliate links generates revenue for me, at no extra cost to you, click links here, or go to my Amazon Store page: skillcult.com/amazon-store But seriously, buy less, do more.
Standard gear I recommend. I either use or have used all of it.
Council Tool Boys Axe: amzn.to/3z0muqI
Bahco Farmer's File: amzn.to/3Hbdhij
King two sided sharpening stone: amzn.to/32EX1XC
Wiebe 12” fleshing tool: amzn.to/3sB0qSl
Atlas Elbow Gloves: amzn.to/3FwB5g6
BOOKS:
The Axe Book, by Dudley Cook: amzn.to/32kx7sN
Bushcraft, by Mors Kochanski: amzn.to/32q2rpT
Subscribe to my channel for more insightful Self Reliance related content: youtube.com/skillcult/subscribe Click the bell icon to be notified of new content. Subscribing doesn’t mean that much on it’s own.
Blog and website: skillcult.com/blog
Instagram and Facebook @SkillCult
It is possible to change a whole tree to grow new varieties by grafting. I favor frameworking, or framework grafting over the more common top working technique. Frameworking replaces the fruiting wood by grafting onto smaller stubs, but it retains the structure of the tree. Frameworked trees are less subject to rot in the cuts, come back into bearing quickly and allow you to put on more different new varieties at one time. You can use cleft grafts, whip and tongue grafts, bark grafts, side grafts and others.
