My old cherry tree looks like its end is coming near. Last year it
produced quite a bit of fruit but now it looks dead and all branches
seem dry (as if dormant) except for 2 or 3 small branches high up on
the trunk which managed to develop leaves and a few buds. This tree is
a one-of-a-kind and is the only one left in rhe whole neighbourhood
(there were many before, all in a row), and it would be a big
disappointment if it were to die without an attempt to graft/bud/etc.
to "clone" it.

Try the following nursery: http://www.bernwodeplants.co.uk/ They
specialise in preserving and propagating traditional fruit tree
varieties. I believe they offer a grafting service for people who want
to clone an existing fruit tree.

In article , Joe
Jamies wrote:

Hello,

My old cherry tree looks like its end is coming near. Last year it
produced quite a bit of fruit but now it looks dead and all branches
seem dry (as if dormant) except for 2 or 3 small branches high up on
the trunk which managed to develop leaves and a few buds. This tree is
a one-of-a-kind and is the only one left in rhe whole neighbourhood
(there were many before, all in a row), and it would be a big
disappointment if it were to die without an attempt to graft/bud/etc.
to "clone" it.

Does anyone have any ideas which I could attempt? Can I take cuttings
of the few small branches which have leaves? Could I buy a rootstock
and try budding onto it, now in Spring? Should I wait for the fruit to
develop and save the cherry pits for sowing? Is there any chance of
the tree surviving and producing fruit next year, even if the whole
tree is practically lifeless now?

Does anyone have experience with growing cherry trees from pits? I
tried stratification in the refrigerator on last year's pits but no
luck.

You might want to contact Brogdale (www.brogdale.org.uk). They are the
home of the national fruit collections and are generally very helpful.
They are in Kent.

I looked into this myself at the end of last year and my plan was to
get a graft made by Brogdale but I missed the opportunity (I think it
was March). They will either do it all for you or you can go along to
their "open grafting day" and take away a rootstock with the graft
done. Luckily my tree is not on its last legs so I have another chance
next year.

Think about getting several grafts done if you can. Give a couple to
neighbours so that the longer term chances of survival are better.
Brogdale might even keep one in their collection?

Growing from pits may well be successful but it will be a gamble what
sort of fruit you get. The pit is a cross betwen your tree and which
ever tree(s) pollinated it.

You might also want to join RHS as they have a helpline for members
(there is also a lot of free help on their site) - I have no experience
myself of this but have seen this advice from others.

Another tack (to be done as well rather than one or the other) is to
figure out why the tree is dying. With some experienced advice it
might be possible to save it and do a graft as a backup.

Good luck - I hope you save it.

Merlin