cherimoya top working

[buddy roo]

Hi all, I have 4   20 year old cherimoya trees that i would like to top work in a major way would i be better off to stump the trees NOW and wait for new growth to graft to in the spring and can i graft to that new wood, or is there a better way???        Patrick

[fyliu]

Stump the tree and bark graft a ring of scions around the stump to help it seal up faster if they take. Then wait for new growth and graft again if needed. I'm not sure if the new growth will be hardened enough to graft in spring. The sooner you do it the more time they have to grow I guess.

[simon_grow]

I’ve never stumped a large Cherimoya at this time of year. I wonder if it will grow back or stall before pushing? I would think a large established tree would force new growth in order to survive but I’ve never done it myself, at this time of year.

Simon

[raiders36]

My experience with grafting best is when the tree starts pushing new growth. I never try this on cherimoya but I think this method will work. Cherimoya molt their leaves sometime in March-April. Wait for the the first sign that new growth emerge; cut the tree to a stump, preferable 3-4 ft. Bark graft wood to stump (cambium to cambium; preferable second year wood and the larger scions). Tape them up tight and apply tree sealer to exposed area. BTW wrap the scions completely with the clear white tape (forget the name) so rain water doesn't get in and to hold in the moisture. Good luck!

[venturabananas]

I'd be a little scared to stump one without leaving at least a small nurse limb to keep the system going.  Have any of you stumped Cherimoya before?

[Seanny]

Sometimes I cut 1/2" cherimoya rootstock to 3" from ground then graft. I've not stump larger cherimoya.

[spaugh]

Patrick, did you ever do the bark grafts?  How did it go?  Im wanting to change variety on a couple trees and want to have the plan in place ahead of time.  Im planning to top work a lot of trees this spring.  Avocado, cherimoya, and stone fruits. 

The avocados Ill do in March and stone fruits in January but not sure what to do with the cherimoyas.