What's more satisfying than biting into a fresh-off-the-tree apple? Creating the tree in the first place!

Did you know that any apple you buy wasn't grown from seed?

It was the result of taking a small branchlet (called scionwood, "SI-on-wood") from the tree of the apple variety you ate and splicing ("grafting") it onto the stem of a small tree with roots ("rootstock").

Why graft? Apple seeds don't grow up to become the variety of apple that they came from. Also, different rootstocks may be more disease resistant, better suited to your growing region, or grow into trees that are the size and height you want.

Come learn how to graft apple trees!

This free workshop will provide you with:

• Information and hands-on instruction in grafting apple trees

• Rootstock that, after being grafted with scionwood (the particular variety you want), will grow into a semi-dwarf tree of that variety

• Scionwood for several types of apples (You may choose which one you graft.)

• Handouts to show you how to graft.

• Other materials with which to graft successfully (knives, tape, rubber bands, labels).

• Bonus: learn how to prune apple trees from a community crew that prunes apple trees around Milwaukee.

The instructor will bring several of her own grafting knives; we will take turns using them. Grafting knives have to be very sharp, so not just any kitchen knife will do.

In addition, a limited number of 1-year old grafted trees are available for free, to anyone that’s interested and has a place to plant it. Simply add it as an “add on” when securing your ticket for the event.

RSVP at: https://mke-apple-grafting-workshop.eventbrite.com

This Michael Fields Agriculture Institute event is in collaboration with: Groundwork Milwaukee, UW Extension - Milwaukee, and Growing Green Gardens.

Questions? Contact Noemy Serrano at: nserrano@michaelfields.org