The Village of Canton’s Tree Committee will host a free workshop on tree grafting with instruction by Joel Howie of Canton Apples, Friday March 27, 1:00 p.m. - 3 p.m., at the DPW Barn, 78 Lincoln Street, Canton. All materials, root stock and scions will be provided.

Since ancient times, people have cut and joined together plants of different varieties or species so they would grow as a single plant — a process known as grafting. Grafting was widely used by ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians to propagate desired fruit tree varieties, such as olives and citrus.

In Northern New York, grafting plants is essential for surviving the region's harsh, short growing season and cold winters by combining hardy, disease-resistant rootstocks with desirable, productive fruiting scions. The technique enables the cultivation of diverse fruits in limited spaces, accelerates maturity, and repairs cold-damaged, girdled trees.

When asked about grafting in this region, Joel, who operates 27 acres across several properties with orchards featuring more than 250 varieties of apples, pears, and plums said, “Grafting is not only good, but the only way to clone and reproduce an apple variety.” He added, “Apple seeds are genetically different from their parents and will not grow the same exact fruit.”

For more information on the workshop, please contact Herb Bullock, Canton Village Tree Committee, Secretary, 315-854-4039.