How to Graft a Podocarpus or Grow One from Cuttings

Question from Diana:
Hi Pat, After surviving a fire that destroyed  everything around it, the the massive Podocarpus that graces the center of the Southwest Community Center in Santa Ana is coming down tomorrow.-Tuesday.   Arborists say it will not survive the rebuild so I have taken , and am rooting,  cuttings from it – and tomorrow I am wondering if I might attempt to graft a small branch from it onto the new tree waiting to take it’s place. (in Fallbrook at La Crests Tree) What is the procedureI use? Thanks so much, the history of this tree is so precious..

Answer from Pat:
The easiest way to perpetuate this tree would be to take cuttings, as you have done. Podocarpus is easily propagated from cuttings taken in late summer or early fall. Dip in Rootone F or in Dip’N’Grow and root in a cold frame or under glass. Cuttings root slowly. The only problem with taking cuttings of Podocarpus gracilior is that the resultant plants will not have the same growth habit as the parent tree. Podocarpus grown for hedges are planted from cuttings and these tend to be more willowy in their growth habit. Seed-grown podocarpus, on the other hand, grow into strong upright trees.

Pencil grafts should work on Podocarpus gracilior, since when the branches are twined around each other they then sometimes naturally graft together. To make a pencil graft, both the scion and the stock should be exactly the same size and both should be about the same diameter as a pencil. Cut each of them with a sharp grafting knife at the same sharp angle. Then fit the two pieces together so their cambium layers touch all the way around. Then using grafting tape bind the two twigs into one piece. Cover this with grafting wax if desired. Leave for several months. After the tip begins to grow or leaf out you will know if the graft took. You can then remove the wrapping and gradually prune off competing growth until the grafted twig eventually becomes a major branch.

Alternatively If you were to cut off a trunk and graft on top work by using cleft grafting, I fear you might fail and the entire plant would die. However you are free to make several pencil grafts, and if they are successful, you have succeeded in your desire, but if they die you will not have harmed the tree.