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Inarching involves grafting seedlings, rooted cuttings or basal suckers on to established trees to repair physical or animal damage to the trunk.

The grafted seedlings replace the root system lost due to the damage.

Photo with arrows identifying the inarching grafts attached to an existing tree.

Illustration showing two steps to prepare a tree to be inarched. In step one, verticle cuts about 15 cm (6 in) long are made through the bark near the base of the tree to be inarched. In step two, horizontal cuts at the top and bottom of the strip permit its removal. A short flap of bark is retained at the top.

Illustration showing how to prepare the seedling for inarching in three steps. In step one, the upper portion of the seedling is cut about 1/3 through on the side adjacent to the tree to be inarched. The cut is about 15 cm (6 in) long. In step two, on the opposite side, a short cut is made in the tip of the seedling bringing it to a wedge. A front and side view of the prepared seedling are shown. In step three, the seedling, cut as shown in the first two steps, fits tightly into the slot with the wedged tip inserted under the flap of bark. It is then nailed in place and waxed.