How To Turn Shrub Rose Into A Tree

Question From: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Q: Hello Nancy. I enjoy reading your column in The Detroit News. I have a beautiful "knockout" rose bush that has an individual cane about 27 inches in length that I would just love to grow into a rose tree. How can I do this without killing it? Thank you for your advice.

A: Rose trees are formed by grafting a bush rose on a plant that was grown for this purpose right from the get go. You cannot start with a shrub rose and turn it into a tree form. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy