Coat the end of the cut limb with heavy wax or tar based wound dressing to prevent drying and the early introduction of wood rots. This may take two or three coats applied starting as soon as the scion wood placement is completed, and continuing over the next day or two. Paint is not an acceptable substitute.

Beware of potential fire blight infection in flowers that may emerge late from the scion wood. If fire blight weather occurs the first season, remove the flowers (gently). Scissors are more gentle than pulling.