The time period refers to indifferent shoots or twigs from a desired fruit-bearing tree selection, particularly an apple tree. These cuttings possess dormant buds and are utilized in grafting to propagate the traits of that particular apple cultivar. An instance could be harvesting dormant twigs from a ‘Honeycrisp’ apple tree in winter for grafting onto a rootstock in spring.
Its utilization is key in fruit tree propagation, permitting growers to copy superior traits like illness resistance, fruit measurement, taste, or ripening time. This technique ensures constant fruit high quality and yield, bypassing the genetic variability that arises from seed propagation. Traditionally, it has been integral to orchard administration and the preservation of heirloom apple varieties.