In our front yard we have been growing a Tapak Kuda tree for three years (Bauhinia blakeana). Last year I noticed that one branch looked a bit strange and when I investigated (climbed my ladder), I realised that a branch of another tree species -Jambu Bol (Eugenia malaccensis)- was growing out of a wound in one of the Tapak Kuda branches!(Right: Tapak Kuda branch -running horizontally- with Jambu Bol graft coming out the upper side.)
I cut the branch down 
and took it to a wedding kenduri to show to a former colleague of mine, a woman who holds the BSc degree in Biology. She had never seen or heard of such a graft, obviously a wild graft done either by birds or insects. I kept the branch and plan on doing a thin-slice cross-section someday.
(Left: Closeup of Jambu Bol graft coming out of wound in Tapak Kuda branch.)
This past week I was once again surprised when I climbed my ladder to prune the Tapak Kuda tree again. I found another Jambu Bol graft growing out of another branch! So what I thought was a one-off freak of nature might not be so unusual. Still, I have not been able to find any reports
online that describe such wild grafts. So, I am asking blog readers for help. Does anyone out there know of other such grafts?
(Right: Tapak Kuda branch running horizontally with Jambu Bol graft growing downwards. Tapak Kuda leaves in upper right of photo; Jambu Bol leaves on the left side.)
Although I cut the first grafted branch down, I am leaving the second one in place to see if it will eventually produce fruit.
and took it to a wedding kenduri to show to a former colleague of mine, a woman who holds the BSc degree in Biology. She had never seen or heard of such a graft, obviously a wild graft done either by birds or insects. I kept the branch and plan on doing a thin-slice cross-section someday.(Left: Closeup of Jambu Bol graft coming out of wound in Tapak Kuda branch.)
This past week I was once again surprised when I climbed my ladder to prune the Tapak Kuda tree again. I found another Jambu Bol graft growing out of another branch! So what I thought was a one-off freak of nature might not be so unusual. Still, I have not been able to find any reports
online that describe such wild grafts. So, I am asking blog readers for help. Does anyone out there know of other such grafts?(Right: Tapak Kuda branch running horizontally with Jambu Bol graft growing downwards. Tapak Kuda leaves in upper right of photo; Jambu Bol leaves on the left side.)
Although I cut the first grafted branch down, I am leaving the second one in place to see if it will eventually produce fruit.
Hi! You certainly have a mysterious grafter in your garden! How fascinating! I will stay tune to see if it bears any Jambus.
ReplyDeleteHi! I stumbled onto your blog whilst trying to look for information on Angsana trees. I myself, am a Chinese M'sian living in the States and it is refreshing to read about my own country through your experiences. I must say that I am learning new things about the place I grew up in!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. Malaysia certainly is a fascinating place even after 13 years of living here.
ReplyDeleteIt is very common for birds to rub their beaks to get rid of seeds sticking to their beaks. The seeds of some species will germinate on the tree branch and will actually drill roots into the tree eventually killing the tree. You have an infestation. Please cut the branch well below the growth.
ReplyDeleteOkay. Thanks for the advice. I was unable to find any info about such bird-produced grafts but what you say makes sense. I cut off the first graft last year and saved the branch for later dissection. Will do the same with the current one, which is not as advanced in development.
ReplyDeletei have heard of this type of graft before. or rather i have seen it. it isn't exactly the same species that you said. there is a maple and another tree, i suspect that it is a locust tree or an oak, and they have cross grafted naturally, about ten feet up. they are seemingly growing together seemlessly with no prominent issues. if your tree isn't of a related species to that grafted twig, the laws don't seem very lawed.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure it's jambu bol? It looks like benalu (Loranthus)
ReplyDeleteI am not positive about jambu bol, but I will check again. I have two tapak kuda in my yard. One has had two bird grafts, and I now see where the other one also has a fairly new bird graft. Three times in 2 years may not make this such a phenomenon.
ReplyDelete