OK, time to show my ignorance again....

[Weedygarden]

Not all tree graft to any other tree.
Compatible Fruit Tree Grafting

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Fruit trees of the same genus but different varieties are compatible for grafting. Grafting joins a lower rootstock portion of a fruit tree with the scion portion of another variety of fruit tree. Rootstocks of dwarf or semi-dwarf trees are often grafted onto standard growth trees to create manageable trees for the home orchard. Semi-dwarf rootstock is most frequently used as graft material, producing trees 12 to 18 feet in height.

Compatible Varieties
Nearly all citrus varieties are compatible with each other for grafting. Any two varieties of fruit trees in the Prunus genus such as apple, cherry, and plums also do well when grafted together. European pear (Pyrus communis) rootstock is compatible with other varieties of European and Asian pear( Pyrus calleryana, P.ussuriensis). Peach (Prunus persica) rootstock is compatible with other varieties of peach, nectarine (P. persica var. nectarine), European plum (Prunus domestica), plumcot (P. domestica x armenica) and apricot (Prunus armeniaca). Quince (Cydonia oblonga) is compatible with all varieties of quince, pear and loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) trees.

Choosing Rootstock and Scion
The best rootstock to use for grafting is one year old with a diameter of approximately three-eighths inch. Rootstock diameters over one-half inch are likely to send up sprouts of growth from underground, rather than unite with the scion. Select pencil-thick and pencil-length fruit tree scions taken from the parent tree during its dormancy to use for cleft grafting.


The Mechanics of Grafting
Grafting is successful when the living tissue layer, or cambium, of the rootstock and the scion grow together. Clean, sharp tools help prevent the spread of disease into the raw grafting cuts. The living tissue must also be kept clean and protected after it is grafted. There are many methods of grafting, but cleft grafting is most frequently used by beginning grafters. A scion branch cut on the diagonal is inserted into a straight-cut rootstock with a split in the middle. A sloping cut is made on each side of the scion, matching the cambium tissue as it is inserted into the rootstock.

Care of the Graft
Proper care of the grafted area is essential to successfully join the portions of tree. The cambium tissue begins to grow together when it is protected from disease and weather by wrapping it with nurseryman's tape. All exposed surfaces of the graft are covered with the tape, except the area where the scion is inserted and the scion itself. Pruning paint applied to exposed surfaces, including the wrapped area, will further protect the graft wound. Polymer paints are not recommended, because the chemical content interferes with graft wound healing. This secure covering and protection are left for three months and then removed.

Thank you! This is great information!

 

[Meerkat]

Seriously though… Dad and I grew peaches commercially. High producing commercial peach varieties that are weak against disease are grafted onto peach root stocks that are highly resistant to diseases. Best of both worlds is the theory. Of course, it never works out that way, it creates a whole new set of problems.

That said, peaches, plums, apples and cherries are in the rose family (Rosaceae), more closely related to roses than oak trees. Why not bring your sweet heart an apple bouquet on Valentine’s day? Of course, you’d have to spit the seeds out…

I eat some apple seeds if its organic. They are good for us. Not too many but a few each day.

 

[Meerkat]

I just saw this thread.

I'll just stick to old fashioned type trees because too late in life to try complicating recipes. But I think it is a good idea if you have the time.
We use big containers and hand trucks to grow our fruit trees in greenhouse. We take them out in spring. We did grow them outside but lost most to freezes. So will buy some more.
We buy trees already producing, since we'd like to live to eat them we don't wait for seedlings several years to produce.
This spring we will go to Loews or nursery and buy a few more, they ain't cheap though. But they are handy,loaded with fruit from the store.

 

[joel]

I do know that you can buy apple trees with a few varieties on one tree. That must be the result of grafting several branches onto the root stock. I do think that lots of fruit trees that we buy are grafted onto root stock. My pear tree is a graft.[/QUOTE

My mother has an apple tree with 5 varieties. It has bare fruit for 20 years, wish I had bought a few myself.

 

[Caribou]

I started my orchard the summer before last. Espalier may be an option for some of these trees as they are still small.

 

[Woody]

My place in NC had two of the Fruit Salad trees, Peaches, Nectarines... and two others. They were 10 or 12' tall when I moved in, 5 or 6 years old maybe. Not very hardy and when I could get fruit, they all pretty much tasted the same. I ended up cutting them down after 4 years of frustration. Planted a local peach species and they did great.