I have some trees on 3 foot standards, with graft unions that are 10-12 inches up from the root flare. They seem to be starting their spring flush of growth, with swelling of buds and some bud break with vegetative growth. The growth is further ahead closer to the graft union. That is to say, just above the graft union, I've got more little branchlets forming, whereas in the top of the trees, I still just only see swelling of the buds. It looks like the flush of growth is starting just above the graft union and moving up the tree.

Is this pattern typical? Do people generally nip these buds off to preserve the form of the tree?

Thanks in advance

Hi SB, If you want more of a tree form, then nip them off. Or keep them growing for a bush form. I'd nip off just the lower ones & let higher up ones grow more branches. I have one that's doing same thing.... just gonna wait awhile & decide.