The experiment was carried out during 1995- 1997 in the experimental nursery field of the Agricultural University of Lublin, Poland, in Lublin-Felin. M.9 (EMLA) apple rootstocks were planted at 0.9 - 0.3 (m). No significant differences in tree trunk diameter, tree height and total extension growth of one-year-old shoots between chipand T-budded apple maiden trees of 'Red EIstar Elshof Were found. Chip budding increased the number of trees of first quality about twofold in comparison with T-budding, however, this difference was not significant. Either method of budding considerably influenced the rate of growth of apple trees in nursery. The highest rate of tree growth was observed in May and June.