How is this possible?!

[sunflower123]

You may think this is very odd (I don't blame you), but last autumn I tied a branch that fell off a tree (I think maple) back onto the tree. It was for a project I was working on. A little while ago I took it off and noticed that it had lots of leaf buds on it! It did not touch the ground at all and I didn't injure the bark either. How is this possible? When I saw this I tied it back on as best I could and it still has buds now. It is literally one dead branch tied to another (living) branch of the same tree...

 

[Meadowlark]

Not odd at all. You just experienced "grafting" a widely used horticulture technique to join parts of plants together.

Plants are amazing and Nature finds a way.

Can you post a picture please?

 

[sunflower123]

Ohh thank you, I heard of grafting, but didn't realize this is it. I will try to post a picture soon. I haven't gotten a good one. So what is grafting used for, if you don't mind explaining please? Thank you

 

[Anniekay]

Grafting is mainly used to add a scion, ( branch of a bush or tree) to a much more vigorous root stock. For example: a fruit tree that has multiple types of, let's say an apple so that you get 4 kinds of apples on one tree.

It is used to graft a rose to a much more vigorous root stock so that you get a healthier more vigorous plant, etc.

I ran a branch of my Camellia over with one wheel of the mower last fall. That low branch was still hanging on by a piece of bark. I just pulled it tightly back where it belonged and taped it tightly with masking tape. You'd never know it ever broke. It's healed back and never as much as lost a leaf.

 

[sunflower123]

Wow that's amazing Anniekay!

 

[sunflower123]

Sorry if I sound too excited. I am learning so much about gardening and how amazing nature can be.

 

[Meadowlark]

Ohh thank you, I heard of grafting, but didn't realize this is it. I will try to post a picture soon. I haven't gotten a good one. So what is grafting used for, if you don't mind explaining please? Thank you

You kind of accidentally accomplished it, but it is very commonly used in horticulture to join two plants together so they grow as a single plant. It is commonly used to combine desirable traits from a rootstock and scion (a shoot or twig)

"Grafting is a technique that joins two plants together. Here's how it works:

1. A wound is created on one of the plants.
2. The other plant is inserted into that wound.
3. The tissues of both plants grow together.
4. The wound needs to be protected until it heals to prevent pests and diseases."

 

[sunflower123]

Thank you, Meadowlark! I couldn't find any areas of the bark that are injured. If I leave the branch on and don't protect the wound, could I expose the tree to diseases?

 

[Meadowlark]

Yes, but you have made it this far I'd say keep doing as you have been without disturbing the graft (joint).

 

[sunflower123]

Thank you so much for your advice. I appreciate it.