Interesting, but that seems a very "cruel" style of making spreaders. Why wouldn't you try to use notches and ties instead of poking nails into the young bark? I'm sure nails would hold but gosh, may open up nasty wounds to let in diseases etc.

Thank you to all for those excellent replies. I'll let you know what happens and send photos of thenew orchard!

Oh yes, that's a nashi pear. Look at those pear leaves!

Hi guys I'm considering planting a 300 tree orchard next July (winter in Australia) and one supplier has offered me graftlings which I believe are newly grafted rootstocks with their bud and tape in place. What do you think of this? He acknowledges that there will be failures and will include extras...