Dorothy, I am not familiar with ‘Rubinette’ apples, or the tree’s characteristics, but feel it would be perfectly safe to use scion wood from the tree/s you described. I’d simply rinse off the scions with some light soapy water before storing or grafting them. And I have never seen or known codling moths to burrow under the bark of scion wood, or last ‘year’s new growth.’ Not all that familiar with the life cycle of a codling moth, having stopped spraying for anything decades ago, I believe they’ll overwinter in the soil or under bark scales on the tree trunk. As new growth doesn’t have those ‘scales,’ it should also be free of their eggs …though you might watch for scale insects.

It’s difficult to give advice on transplanting trees you’ve never seen… how old are they? I’d not go after an apple tree much older than 4 or 5 years in, unless you’re very capable of digging – and willing to get this done ASAP! I believe coddling moths can be ‘suffocated’ with dormant spray oil and wouldn’t bother washing down the roots. I’d be inclined to keep that soil as intact as possible to protect the small root fibers. There may be nematodes of some kind in the soil but I wouldn’t worry about the moths. You could remove (leaving it at his place) the top three or so inches of soil and assume anything lower would be safe from moth larva or eggs.

And again, I’m not familiar with Rubinette apples… but perhaps there’s a reason for that..? I’d suggest, if you really want some bad, just graft a limb or two onto an existing tree of yours… but if you’re wanting several trees of them … here’s an idea – secure and maintain the scion wood; bring it to the HOS Scion Exchange (fruit cuttings & burry exchange or whatever we’re calling it) in Canby next Saturday; buy as many of whatever kind of rootstock as trees you’d like (the experts behind the counter will guide you through their selection); then head over to the grafting area and have them put together… there’s a fee for every step, but in total you’d go away with fairly inexpensive apple trees of exactly what you want. …and if the variety is weak – give it a more vigorous rootstock.

I might even see you there: [url:1d9skg3j]http://www.homeorchardsociety.org/scion_exchange/[/url:1d9skg3j]

“Any thoughts on whether my graft would be better off inside or outside the house at this time of year?”

That could depend on just where in Canada you are …I’d suspect keeping it out of harsh wind and allowing it to wake up naturally outdoors would be fine. Keeping it too warm would give it a jump on everything else, thus making it susceptible to more damage if a cold spell hit. And the connection is either going to take, or not.