Agriculture in Majorca, the biggest of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, has a long history with trees but also with the art and science of grafting. This agricultural practice is used to multiply local varieties of fruit trees and grapevines and preserve them against plagues, such as the phylloxera plague that nearly wiped out vineyards across Europe, and more recently it is helping to keep olive and almond varieties that have escaped the Xylella fastidiosa disease.

The story follows young grafter Pere Sureda, who describes himself as a “spreader of biodiversity”, as he grafts two iconic varieties of the Balearic landscape: carob trees on a regenerative tree plantation increasing its genetic varieties of the trees and vineyards on an organic farm run by the 89 year-old owner and his son. This vineyard is also were Sureda was introduced to grafting. A selection of traditional tools that belong to experienced grafter and mentor Bernat Ramis on his farm at the foot of natural park of Sierra Tramuntana are also included.

The technical knowledge needed for the magic of grafting to flourish has been on the verge of disappearing and today depends on a handful of professionals. But it is still essential, as the craze for growing carob due to sky rocketing prices and desire to keep plum or apricot trees in family orchards have shown in recent years.