Air layer of grafted material?

[Steinar]

I'm considering a couple of trees at my local nursery, the most promising of them is a "Shaina" japanese maple. However, both trees are grafted onto quite tall trunks (and with the usual mismatch in width).

My question is - how reasonable is it to buy a grafted tree with the intent to air layer? Is there a difference in success rates when layering on grafted material? I would basically do the layer right above the graft location. The trees look healthy to me.

Thanks for all helpful answers as always!

 

[BrianBay9]

I would recommend doing the air layer just below the graft junction, so the graft junction is just at ground level. Some J maple varieties do better on the graft stock roots than on their own. Unless the graft is just horrible, you can hide it at the base.

Some varieties do just fine on their own roots, but I don't have enough experience to tell you which is which.

 

[Steinar]

I would recommend doing the air layer just below the graft junction, so the graft junction is just at ground level. Some J maple varieties do better on the graft stock roots than on their own. Unless the graft is just horrible, you can hide it at the base.

Some varieties do just fine on their own roots, but I don't have enough experience to tell you which is which.

Ah, excellent point, thank you so much! You probably saved me lots of frustration there

I think I can hide the graft.

 

[Shibui]

Shaina is one of the JM cultivars I have not had success layering. That does not mean it's impossible, just that my few tries have not worked.
I would follow @BrianBay9 recommendation and try to get roots from the very top of the stock.
It should still be possible if you layer across the graft site, provided you mostly have stock bark to produce roots.