The durian’s shallow root system makes it extremely susceptible to high winds. If a grafted tree is hit hard by frost, the graft will usually die off, but the rootstock will survive.
Durian Tree Saplings: The durian tree’s simple, drooping, beautiful leaves are about 3 to 8 inches [8 to 20 cm] long and 1 to 3 inches [2.5-7.5 cm] wide.
They’re also a lot stronger and more hardy, and more likely survive frosts. Seedlings grown trees will live longer than grafted trees or cutting grown trees, they are more vigorous and grow slightly larger. The durian tree is ultra-tropical, a native of Southeast Asian equatorial rainforests, and needs much tropical warmth, abundant moisture, and sunshine to thrive (except for the young trees’ first year, when semi-shade is preferred — simulating rainforest conditions).
You can read about the incidences here, and here, or just a few weeks ago. Durian grafting on a matured durian tree which was carried out at Fook Gor Durian Farm in Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia. Photo credit - Fook Gor Durian Farm Bentong. Here are more photos on the field grafting. On other grafting methods, even if the scion doesn’t merge and dies, often the rootstock will survive and you can try grafting again. The graft is lower on the tree, so it’s less likely to break off as the tree grows; Cons of Hypocotyl Durian Grafting: If you mess up, your tree is toast. They are shiny smooth, light or dark green above; the underside is somewhat scaly, sometimes brown but more often a with a golden sheen. Grafted trees are a good deal smaller, topping out at around 40 feet. Removing the bark for insertion of the scion: Scion securely attached to the rootstock: Durian Information - A Durian Blog Devoted To "The King of Fruits" Thai farmer produces grafted durian plants for sale. This is an awesome link from Lindsay and it's all about how a Thai farmer produces grafted durian plants for sale.
(Side note: In 2012, two durian trees fell on people’s houses, actually killing one of the inhabitants.