Thirty years ago I transplanted a trifoliate seedling from a fencerow near my home.( My maternal grandparents called them a "hedgeorange"). I planned to use the tree for understock, but I never got around to it. The tree finally started fruiting three years ago. I have planted the seeds from the fruits in pots for understock, but it seems that the barkof the seedlings never get slippery . Seedlings also volunteer all around the tree but so far, I have never had a successful bud on any of the offspring of this tree to live.

They seem to get pot-bound before they even reach pencil-sized. I have tried watering and heavy applictions fo liquid fertilizer on the tree, several days before I plan to work, but to no avail.

Does anyone have any Ideas on how I can cause these seedlings to get slippery bark?

Thanks,

Tom Loeb

When the plants are in active growth the bark should be slipping...

Right, you would think that but these trees have the "skinniest" bark I have ever seen.

Laaz, If I can ever find a trif. with slipping bark, I am going to bud the mystery tree to it... if you are interested in some budwood from the "Mystery Seedling(s)" let me know. You would have to tell me what to do. Maybe you need to contact my personal email.

tom loeb

Tom can you post a picture of the seedlings your talking about ? Also you want to T-bud where the bark is still green not where it has turned brown.

You can always try a chip bud. Dr. Manners had an excellent Power Point slide program that demonstrates a hanging chip bud, and I am sure Joe has one here. Dr. Manners offered to send his program to anyone here that wanted it.

Ned