Pristine Apple Scionwood for Grafting

USDA Zone
4-7
Plant Layer
Understory Tree
Native Range
Pristine Apples are a great choice for Midwest and northern growers looking for early, disease-resistant apples.
Life Cycle
Perennial

Dormant Pristine apple scionwood, ideal for winter or spring grafting onto your preferred rootstock. Early, disease-resistant variety. Sold by the foot.

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$ 5.00 USD

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Why Choose Pristine Apple Scionwood?

Cold-Hardy, Early-Ripening Apple for Midwest Grafting Projects

Pristine Apple (Malus domestica) scionwood is dormant, pencil-thick grafting wood taken from healthy, true-to-type Pristine trees developed by Purdue University in Indiana. Known for its cold-hardiness and strong disease resistance, Pristine is an excellent choice for Midwest growers looking to add early, reliable apples to their orchards.

This variety is unique because it ripens in July, producing bright yellow apples that help spread out your harvest before most summer varieties mature. The crisp, sweet-tart flavor makes it perfect for fresh eating, while its natural resistance to apple scab and other common diseases reduces spray needs and supports low-input orchard systems.

Benefits of Pristine Apple Scionwood for Grafting

Early yellow apples ripen in July, extending the apple season
Cold-hardy and disease-resistant, ideal for USDA Zones 5–7
Supports food plots and wildlife: deer, turkeys, songbirds, and small mammals enjoy fallen fruit from mature trees
Each foot of scionwood can produce multiple grafts, making it economical for home orchards, food forests, or small-scale propagation projects

Each stick of Pristine apple scionwood is harvested during dormancy and carefully inspected for healthy buds and proper caliper. Sold by the foot, it is ready for whip-and-tongue, cleft, or bark grafts onto your chosen rootstock.

Why Buy From BearFruit Nursery?

Our scionwood is carefully collected from healthy Pristine apple trees during peak dormancy to ensure maximum viability for grafting. Every stick is labeled and selected for ideal bud spacing and caliper, giving you the best chance for successful grafts. Perfect for propagating early yellow, disease-resistant apples efficiently and reliably.

Pristine Apple Scionwood Traits & Qualities

Other Common Names: Pristine Apple, ‘Pristine’ Apple
Type: Apple cultivar (Malus domestica ‘Pristine’)
Usage: Dormant scionwood for grafting, propagation only
Cold Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–7
Fruit Color: Bright yellow
Ripening Time: Early season—typically July, extending the apple harvest
Disease Resistance: Strong resistance to apple scab and common apple diseases
Tree Vigor: Moderate to vigorous once grafted
Grafting Suitability: Ideal for whip-and-tongue, cleft, or bark grafts
Scionwood Length: Sold by the foot; multiple grafts can be made per foot
Bud Quality: Dormant buds carefully selected for high grafting success
Wildlife Value: Mature trees’ fruit attracts deer, turkeys, songbirds, and small mammals
Site Preference for Grafted Trees: Full sun, well-drained soil
Origin: Developed by Purdue University, Indiana, for Midwest orchards
Best Uses: Home orchards, food forests, regenerative farms, and wildlife-friendly plantings

Pristine Apple Scionwood

USDA Zone

4-7

Pristine Apples are a great choice for Midwest and northern growers looking for early, disease-resistant apples.

Beautiful Pristine Apple White Flowers Bring Pollinators to the Orchard

How to Graft Pristine Apple Scionwood

Pristine Apple (Malus domestica ‘Pristine’) scionwood is a cold-hardy, disease-resistant variety that ripens in July. Using high-quality scionwood allows you to propagate your own trees efficiently. Follow this guide to maximize success.

1. Best Timing

Winter dormancy: Late January through early March is ideal, when scionwood is fully dormant and rootstock sap flow has not yet begun.
Early spring grafting: Can also graft just before bud break for compatible rootstocks.

2. Compatible Apple Rootstocks

Pristine scionwood grafts well onto a variety of apple rootstocks depending on desired tree size and vigor:

Dwarfing: M27, M9
Semi-dwarf: M26, MM106
Standard/Vigorous: MM111, Seedling rootstocks, Antonovka

Tip: Choose a rootstock suited to your soil, climate, and orchard spacing.

3. Materials Needed

Dormant Pristine Apple scionwood, sold by the foot
Selected rootstock (dormant, healthy)
Sharp grafting knife or utility knife
Grafting tape, parafilm, or rubber bands
Pruning shears
Optional: Grafting wax or sealant for extra protection

4. Recommended Grafting Methods

Whip-and-tongue graft: Ideal for similar-caliper scion and rootstock (spring or late winter)
Cleft graft: Best for larger rootstocks or repairing damaged trees
Bark graft: Used on mature rootstocks in early spring

5. Steps to Successful Grafting

Prepare scionwood: Cut 6–10” sections with 3–5 healthy dormant buds per foot.
Prepare rootstock: Make clean cuts at the desired graft height, remove damaged bark or wood.
Join scion and rootstock: Match cambium layers carefully for full contact.
Secure graft: Wrap with grafting tape or parafilm to hold in place and prevent moisture loss.
Seal and protect: Optional grafting wax can prevent desiccation and infection.
Aftercare: Keep graft site clean and monitor for bud break. Remove wrapping after growth begins to avoid girdling.

6. Tips for Multiple Grafts

Each foot of scionwood can yield 2–3 grafts, depending on bud spacing.
Label each graft with rootstock and variety for easy tracking.

7. Success & Timeline

Pristine scions generally show bud swelling in 2–4 weeks after grafting (spring).
Leaves develop in a few weeks, and strong shoots can be pruned and trained throughout the growing season.

Pristine Apples are one of the best tasting early ripening apple varieties

Pristine Apple Nutrition & Health Benefits

Pristine apples are crisp, juicy, and naturally low in calories, making them a wholesome addition to your diet. These early-season yellow apples provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health.

Vitamin C: Supports immune system function and tissue health
Dietary Fiber: Promotes digestive health and helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
Potassium: Supports heart health and helps regulate blood pressure
Antioxidants: Naturally occurring compounds help combat oxidative stress and support cellular health
Low Sugar & Calories: Great for a healthy snack or fresh-eating in moderation

Note: Nutrition values apply to the fruit produced once Pristine trees are grafted and mature. Scionwood is used for propagation and not consumed.

Pristine Apple Scionwood FAQ

What is Pristine Apple Scionwood and why should I graft it?

Pristine Apple scionwood is dormant, pencil-thick grafting wood taken from healthy, true-to-type Pristine trees (Malus domestica ‘Pristine’). It’s ideal for propagating early yellow apples that ripen in July and are cold-hardy in USDA Zones 5–7. Grafting allows you to reproduce disease-resistant trees on rootstocks suited to your orchard or food forest.

How long does it take for trees grafted with Pristine scionwood to bear fruit?

Trees grafted with Pristine scionwood typically produce fruit 2–4 years after a successful graft, depending on rootstock type, growing conditions, and care. Early-maturing rootstocks and optimal site conditions can help reduce the timeline.

Which rootstocks are compatible with Pristine scionwood?

Pristine scionwood works well with a range of rootstocks:

Dwarfing: M27, M9
Semi-dwarf: M26, MM106
Standard/Vigorous: MM111, Antonovka, Seedlings
Choose rootstocks based on your desired tree size, orchard layout, and soil conditions.

When is the best time to graft Pristine scionwood?

Dormant season: Late winter (January–March) is ideal before sap flow begins.
Early spring: Just before bud break on dormant rootstocks is also acceptable.

What grafting methods work best?

Whip-and-tongue graft: Best for similar-caliper scion and rootstock
Cleft graft: Ideal for larger rootstocks or repair grafting
Bark graft: Used on mature rootstocks in early spring

How long is each scionwood stick and how many grafts can I make?

Scionwood is sold by the foot. Each foot typically provides 2–3 grafts, depending on bud spacing and grafting method.

What materials do I need for grafting?

Pristine apple scionwood
Compatible rootstock
Sharp grafting knife
Grafting tape, parafilm, or rubber bands
Pruning shears
Optional: grafting wax or sealant

Can wildlife or pollinators benefit from trees grown from my grafts?

Yes! Once grafted trees mature and produce fruit, deer, turkeys, songbirds, and small mammals enjoy fallen apples, and the blossoms support pollinators like bees and other beneficial insects.

How do I care for grafted scions after grafting?

Keep the graft site clean, secure, and protected from drying out. Remove wrapping once growth begins to prevent girdling. Ensure full sun, well-drained soil, and regular watering for strong, healthy shoots.

Bare Root Shipping & Return Policy

We Ship Healthy Dormant Trees

At BearFruit Nursery, we make sure your bare root trees, shrubs, and plants arrive happy, healthy, and ready to grow. Bare root plants and cuttings ship dormant during appropriate planting windows. Orders may be held to ensure safe arrival.

Here’s what to expect:
Your shipment may look like a “stick in the mud” — that’s normal!
You’ll receive a healthy, leafless plant with a moist, sawdust-wrapped root system.
The sawdust keeps roots from drying out and supports long-term growth.
Our plants are grown in soil, not pots, developing strong root systems that quickly outgrow container-raised plants.

Return & Refund Policy
At BearFruit Nursery, our goal is to deliver healthy, dormant bare-root trees, shrubs, and plants ready for planting.

Due to the perishable and live nature of plants, we process "returns" through refunds and/or by re-shipping correct replacement or undamaged plants.
If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos so we can resolve the issue. Approved claims may be resolved through:

Replacement of the damaged plant (subject to availability)
Refund for the damaged item

Shipping fees are non-refundable.This policy applies to all live plants, trees, and shrubs sold through our website.
If you have questions about our policy, email us at grow@bearfruitnursery.com
This policy applies to all live plants, trees, and shrubs sold through our website.

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"All four trees in our order look good and planted."
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