Taking scions from fruit trees is a crucial step in the process of grafting, which offers several significant benefits:

Preserving Desired Traits:

True-to-type reproduction: Grafting allows you to propagate a specific variety of fruit tree with identical characteristics to the parent tree. This ensures you get the same delicious fruit, size, and ripening time.  

Maintaining heirloom varieties: It helps preserve rare or heirloom fruit varieties that may not be readily available commercially.  

Improved Disease Resistance:

Rootstock selection: You can graft a desired fruit variety onto a rootstock that is resistant to specific diseases or pests, providing the tree with enhanced disease resistance.

Controlling Tree Size:

Dwarfing rootstocks: Using dwarfing rootstocks can significantly reduce the mature size of the tree, making it easier to manage, harvest, and grow in smaller spaces. This is especially beneficial for home gardens.  

Accelerating Fruit Production:

Faster fruiting: Grafted trees often begin producing fruit sooner than trees grown from seed.  

Increased Productivity:

Vigorous growth: Some rootstocks can promote more vigorous growth, leading to increased fruit production.  

By understanding the benefits of taking scions, you can effectively propagate your favorite fruit trees and enjoy their delicious fruits for years to come.