Saving a Heirloom Pear Tree: Grafting and Cuttings

When a beloved old pear tree must be left behind, you can preserve its genetics by grafting scions onto a compatible rootstock or by rooting hardwood cuttings. Grafting is more reliable for fruit trees, but both methods are worth attempting.

Grafting Basics

• Collect scion wood (1-year-old shoots) in late winter while the tree is dormant.
• Store scions in a plastic bag with damp paper towels in the refrigerator until spring.
• Use a whip-and-tongue or cleft graft onto a compatible pear rootstock (or an existing young pear tree) in early spring when buds begin to swell.

Rooting Cuttings

Hardwood cuttings taken in late autumn or winter can be rooted in a sandy medium with bottom heat and high humidity. However, pear cuttings are notoriously difficult to root; success rates are low without professional mist systems.

Resources

For detailed grafting instructions, consult university extension guides such as the University of Minnesota’s publication on fruit tree grafting. Local horticultural societies or arborists may also offer hands-on workshops.