Topworking is used to change cultivars on established trees either by grafting or budding.

This is preferred to removing orchard trees and replanting because the trees return to flowering and fruiting faster by topworking.

Photo of an orchard with topworked trees.

Close up photo showing where a topworked graft has been used on a tree.

The most common method of topworking is by using a cleft, bark or inlay bark graft. The foil overlay is to prevent heat build up around the graft.

Photo of an orchard where the tops of rootstock has been removed, and topworked grafts have been applied to app plants, with foil wrapped over them for protection.

Photo of a completed peach bark graft.

Bark graft on peaches.