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RNA silencing describes the sequence specific degradation of RNA targets. Silencing is a non-cell autonomous event that is graft transmissible in different plant species. The present study is the first report on systemic acquired dsRNA-mediated gene silencing of transgenic and endogenous gene sequences in a woody plant like apple. Transgenic apple plants overexpressing a hairpin gene construct of the <em>gusA</em> reporter gene were produced. These plants were used as rootstocks and grafted with scions of the <em>gusA</em> overexpressing transgenic apple clone T355. After grafting, we observed a reduction of the <em>gusA</em> gene expression in T355 scions <em>in vitro</em>, but not in T355 scions grown in the greenhouse. Similar results were obtained after silencing of the endogenous <em>Mdans</em> gene in apple that is responsible for anthocyanin biosynthesis. Subsequently, we performed grafting experiments with <em>Mdans</em> silenced rootstocks and red leaf scions of TNR31-35 in order to evaluate graft transmitted silencing of the endogenous <em>Mdans</em>. The results obtained suggested a graft transmission of silencing signals in <em>in vitro</em> shoots. In contrast, no graft transmission of dsRNA-mediated gene silencing signals was detectable in greenhouse-grown plants and in plants grown in an insect protection tent.