We have a plum and Montmorency cherry tree on our property. They are both mature trees and we love the fruit we get from them. Our area however is more than likely going to be developed, and sadly more than likely these trees will be cut down. Even if they were not, we will have to move and I want to try to clone them now, so I can take them with me when we have to move. I have never grafted anything before, is this my best bet? Would I have to buy another fruit tree in a pot to do this? Thanks!!
Both of these trees are likely to be grafted on rootstocks different from the fruiting part of the tree. If you wany exact clones, you could look for and propagate suckers arising from the rootstocks and then graft the top growths onto these. If you are lucky, you might be able to graft as early as next spring. There is lots of information regarding grafting in gardening books and on the Web.
When you say "mature" how big are they? The reason I ask is that my son and I recently dug up and moved a "mature" plum tree that is about 12' high and 12' across the widest part of the canopy, and it's doing fine in its new home. It's not easy, but it is possible depending on the size......
