Grafting and Propagation of Fruit Trees

Home tree fruit production can be a rewarding venture. Since most fruit trees do not come true from seed, vegetative propagation by either grafting or budding methods are used. Knowing which methods of propagation to use with which plant is what makes it all work. On Thursday, October 13th, Tom Callahan from Adams County Nursery will speak about grafting and propagation of fruit trees. The meeting is sponsored by the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association and will be held at 7:00 P.M. at the Cumberland County Extension Office which is located at 310 Allen Road in Carlisle. You do not have to be a member and there is no cost to attend.

Grafting and budding involve joining two genetically distinct plants so that they
unite to continue growth as a single plant. Grafting and Budding are the most important means of propagating fruit and nut trees for two reasons. First, species and cultivars that cannot be propagated by cutting or layering can be propagated by budding and grafting. Second, budding and grafting allows the use of rootstocks with desirable characteristics that make them preferable to growing a tree on its own roots. Tom Callahan has over 26 years of experience with Adams County Nursery in growing fruit trees with these methods.

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association (CWOA) is an organization of private forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania. The mission of the association is to provide information, education and an exchange of ideas to its members and others about the methods and benefits of proper forest management. For more information about the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association and the October 13th meeting, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net).

Upcoming Meetings

"Understanding Timber Sales,"

September 8^th - Understanding Timber Sales at 7:00 PM, at the Franklin County Ag Heritage Building

 

"Understanding Timber Sales," is the topic of the Thursday, September 8^th meeting of the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association. Lloyd Casey, an expert on Timber Taxation from Chester County, will speak about private woodland owner' responsibilities when it comes to taking and selling timber from a woodlot. Mr. Casey, who is retired from USDA Forest Service, was the Landowner Assistance Program Specialist, State and Private Forestry, Northeastern Area. He has over 36 years of experience in forest management and taxation issues. The meeting will be at 7:00 PM, at the Franklin County Ag Heritage Building which is located at 185 Franklin Farm Lane in Chambersburg. The meeting is open to the public. You do not have to be a member of the association and there is no cost to attend.

An important component of managing private forestland is managing the costs, income, and taxes associated with forestland. Properly managing your property's finances and taxes can make the difference between maintaining and dividing, or losing the property, either for you or your heirs. Any time one is dealing with land or forest management expenses or income, it triggers tax consequences. Landowners are potentially liable for income, property, and estate taxes from their land and the natural resources therein. The majority of woodland owners have limited exposure to current information that addresses federal tax issues for private forest. Woodland owners need to make decisions about their passive versus active role in management, determining their basis, structuring their management plan for optimal tax advantages, allowable deductions, accounting for federal cost share payments, and more. Because woodland owners infrequently address these issues they look for professional assistance – yet commonly woodland owners struggle to find assistance.

 

October 13^th – Tom Callahan from Adams County Nursery will be speaking to us about grafting and propagation of fruit trees. The meeting will be held at the Cumberland County Extension Office at 7:00 PM.

October 15th - The 1st Annual Forest Festival is taking place at the Ironmaster's Mansion in Pine Grove Furnace State Park on Saturday, October 15th from 10am - 5pm. It is a one-day celebration to bring recognition to the economic, ecological and social value our forests provide and build awareness of Community Supported Forests. The Forest Festival is in conjunction with the week-end long Fall Festival activities occurring throughout the park.