The term refers to detached shoots or twigs from a desired fruit-bearing tree variety, specifically an apple tree. These cuttings possess dormant buds and are used in grafting to propagate the characteristics of that specific apple cultivar. An example would be harvesting dormant twigs from a ‘Honeycrisp’ apple tree in winter for grafting onto a rootstock in spring.
Its utilization is fundamental in fruit tree propagation, allowing growers to replicate superior traits like disease resistance, fruit size, flavor, or ripening time. This method ensures consistent fruit quality and yield, bypassing the genetic variability that arises from seed propagation. Historically, it has been integral to orchard management and the preservation of heirloom apple varieties.
