Greengage tree graft growth

Hi everyone

I planted a new greengage tree from Frank Matthews in December 2023. The tree seems to be sprouting from where the scion joins the rootstock and isn't growing much up top. Is this OK? I included a pic of the tree and one zoomed in to show the scion/rootstock join.

James

 

Hi @James Clegg
The growth at the base is caused by suckers from the rootstock. You need to remove these (pulling them off is better than cutting them off) or they will grow rapidly, taking the energy away from the grafted greengage.
Other than that, your tree looks OK.

 

I agree you need to remove the suckers but as it's a newly planted tree, it will take a while to really establish and put on a lot of growth. It depends what root stock it's on but you should see more growth next year and then more again the following year. The old saying, first year sleep (where it's roots are developing), second year creep and third year leap, applies.