Propagating 90-Year-Old Heritage Apple Trees in Michigan

We have a 90+ year old apple orchard from my great-grandfather's farm in White Cloud, Michigan. How do we propagate these trees and care for the remaining originals?

Cutting Propagation for Heritage Apples

Cuttings are easiest. Take 6+ inch tender shoots, remove lower leaves, dip in rooting compound (garden center), stick 1 inch into wet potting mix. Cover pot with clear lightweight plastic. Place in indirect light (east window or under fluorescents). After 2 weeks, tug gently—resistance means roots. Remove plastic, keep moist, treat as seedling. For the original trees: prune dead wood, mulch, fertilize appropriately, monitor for pests/diseases. Consider grafting scions onto disease-resistant rootstock for new plantings.