Budding fruit trees is the principal method of propagating new fruit trees, but it is frequently used for a variety of woody plants. The technique is extensively used by commercial growers. Although it may seem complicated and mysterious, with a little practice and a lot of patience, budding can be done by home gardeners. As a rule, even beginners have better luck with budding than most other propagation techniques.

Plants and Budding Propagation

Budding basically involves inserting a bud into the rootstock of the other plant. Usually, budding occurs as near the ground as possible, but certain trees (such as willow) are done much higher on the rootstock. It usually takes place where the rootstock grows, with no digging required. Budding propagation is frequently used to:

propagate ornamental trees that are difficult to grow by seeds or other means

create specific plant forms

take advantage of beneficial growth habits of specific rootstocks

improve cross-pollination

repair damaged or injured plants

increase the growth rate

create fruit trees that produce more than one type of fruit

What Plants Can be Used for Budding?

Most woody plants are suitable, but a few of the most common plants and trees that use budding include:

Fruit and Nut Trees

Crabapple

Ornamental Cherries

Apple

Cherry

Plum

Peach

Apricot

Almond

Pear

Kiwi

Mango

Quince

Persimmon

Avocado

Mulberry

Citrus

Buckeye

Grapes (chip budding only)

Hackberry (chip budding only)

Horse Chestnut

Pistachio

Shade/Landscape Trees

Gingko

Elm

Sweetgum

Maple

Locust

Mountain Ash

Linden

Catalpa

Magnolia

Birch

Redbud

Black Gum

Golden Chain

Shrubs

Rhododendrons

Cotoneaster

Flowering Almond

Azalea

Lilac

Hibiscus

Holly

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