Have you ever wanted to grow your own apple, pear, or plum tree but didn’t know where to start? Maybe you’ve wished you could clone a favorite tree or find rare fruit varieties not available in nurseries. The Edmonton Scionwood Exchange is the perfect place to get started.
The exchange will be in the cafeteria of the L Y Cairns School, at 10510 45 Ave NW.
At this community-driven exchange, you’ll have the chance to buy or trade bud sticks—small branch cuttings used for grafting new fruit trees. Hosted by DBG Fruit Growers, this event connects gardeners, orchardists, and fruit-growing enthusiasts, helping you access strong, locally adapted fruit tree varieties while learning essential tree propagation techniques.
Whether you’re looking to start your first fruit tree, expand an existing orchard, or experiment with grafting, this event offers everything you need to succeed.
Highlights of the Day
- Trade bud sticks: Swap apple, pear, plum, apricot, cherry, or grape cuttings.
- Buy scionwood: Grab rare varieties for just $3 each.
- Find rare and heritage fruit tree varieties suited for Edmonton’s climate
- Learn scionwood handling techniques from experienced fruit growers
- Meet fellow growers and expand your fruit-growing network
What to Bring
- A list of scionwood varieties you’re looking for
- Labeled cuttings if you’re bringing scionwood to trade
- Zippered bags, markers, and labels for organizing your finds
- A cooler & ice packs if traveling long distances
- Cash in small bills (loonies & toonies) or e-transfer for quick transactions
Not sure how to store or handle scionwood for grafting? There will be experienced growers available to offer tips on grafting techniques, storage methods, and selecting the best bud sticks for success.
Timing Your Grafting Window:
Fruit tree grafting relies on precise timing. Scions, the cuttings used for grafting, must be collected during dormancy—typically in late winter or early spring—just before buds begin to swell. This ensures the scion’s vitality and readiness for successful grafting onto rootstock. The window for collection and grafting is brief, often lasting only a few weeks each year, requiring careful attention to seasonal cues. Missing this period means waiting another year to try again. To perfect your timing and technique, consider participating in events like Scionwood Exchanges to learn directly from experienced growers
Mark your calendar to catch this fleeting chance and learn timing tricks from growers.
About DBG Fruit Growers
The DBG Fruit Growers Group is a volunteer-run community of orchardists, gardeners, and fruit-growing enthusiasts working to promote resilient and sustainable fruit production in Edmonton. The group shares knowledge and resources to help growers access rare fruit tree varieties, learn tree care techniques, and develop skills in fruit propagation.
Through community events like the Scionwood Exchange, DBG Fruit Growers ensures that more people can grow, harvest, and preserve their own fruit, helping build a stronger local food system.
The group also hosts the Fruit Growers Festival in September, celebrating local harvests with educational workshops and community engagement opportunities.
Their commitment to rare varieties and hands-on learning makes them a cornerstone of the city’s urban agriculture scene.
From Scionwood to Sustainability
The Edmonton Scionwood Exchange is the first step in growing your own fruit trees—giving you access to locally adapted scionwood to start or expand your orchard. But what comes next? Grafting and preserving your harvest!
While this event is all about getting the right scionwood into growers’ hands, learning how to graft those cuttings onto rootstock is the next essential skill. If you’re wondering how to turn those bud sticks into thriving trees, Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton (OFRE) has you covered!
OFRE is looking for a grafting instructor to lead a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to properly graft your scionwood for the best success rates. If you or someone you know has experience in tree grafting, reach out—we’d love to connect.
And once your newly grafted trees start bearing fruit, knowing how to preserve your harvest is just as important as growing it. OFRE also offers workshops on canning, fermenting, and storing fresh fruit so that nothing goes to waste. Whether you want to press apples for cider, make homemade jams, or dehydrate fruit for long-term storage, OFRE can help you turn your orchard’s bounty into delicious, shelf-stable food.
For those interested in food preservation and self-sufficiency, check out OFRE’s upcoming workshops and learn how to make the most of your harvest, from grafting to preserving.
Join us at the DBG Fruit Growers’ Scionwood Exchange and take the next step in growing your own food.