Why Trees Are Grafted and Graft Union Concerns

Nurseries graft trees because it's faster and cheaper than rooting cuttings. The graft union is a potential weak point—it can split in high winds or under heavy ice. However, on a sheltered site with proper planting (no deep mulch against the trunk), grafted trees perform reliably for decades. If a tree fails at the graft, it's usually due to poor site selection or physical damage, not the graft itself. Choose own-root trees when available for critical locations.