Plan of Action on a Hackberry

[thumblessprimate1]

Was wondering what the best plan of action to acquire a part of this hackberry branch. The part where it splits into two and then four. There'll need to be an air layer and some chops. I'm just not sure if there's a best order. It's about 8-10 inches across at the "neck" below it divides in two.
I think this piece of hackberry could work as a multi trunk or something unconventional.

One idea I thought is to just make the chops after leaves harden this year and ramify as best I can. Then try the air layer the following year.

What do the more experienced folks think? I've never air layered something on this scale before either. I'll take any many two cents as I can.

 

[jk_lewis]

Please draw on the pic to indicate where you'd cut or layer. Personally, I don't see anything there that says "bonsai" to me. No taper in the branches and the various trunks/branches come out at all sorts of odd angles.

 

[sorce]

I've read hack is hard to A/L.

 

[Waldo Street Pottery]

Earlier this year I successfully air layered the hackberry found in this thread: http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?16521-American-Elm-Air-Layer.

I found it to root with ease. I watched Graham's YouTube air layer video before doing the layer, and I think it helped. Good luck!

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Thanks for the replies folks.
Jkl, I've attached a picture with lines added. The red is where I plan to air layer. This branch is very high up and thick; it's easier and safer for me to air layer at such a point and air layer at a more aesthetic point later. I also know that there's no taper in the branches; it'll be like a trunk chop. I plan to grow more trunk out about where the dotted purple line is, then all the other branches.

These hackberry trees grow wild around here. They seem to grow quickly and vigorously, and their seedlings pop up abundantly. I see many possibilities with this native tree.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Thanks, hometeamrocker. Your air layer looks beautiful by the way. The Graham Potter video on air layer part 2 really demonstrates how even a trunk without taper can be made interesting. Of course he makes it look easy. Better for me to start sooner than later.

 

[Anthony]

Grown on our side for years, and the source was Lafayette, Louisiana.

You can use roots as well and a seedling can hit 3" diameter in the trunk in two years in the open ground.
Had no trouble with airlayers either.
Easy to train.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[jk_lewis]

Jkl, I've attached a picture with lines added. The red is where I plan to air layer. This branch is very high up and thick; it's easier and safer for me to air layer at such a point and air layer at a more aesthetic point later. I also know that there's no taper in the branches; it'll be like a trunk chop. I plan to grow more trunk out about where the dotted purple line is, then all the other branches.

I still don't see much there for a bonsai -- unless . . . you do your layer in a diagonal and then create something of raft style. But even then. If these are that common in your area, surely you can find a better one.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Yeah. Raft style or multi trunk is one of the ideas. Because of the height of the branch I thought that an air layer where the red lines are would be an easier task. I could always repeat an air layer where you marked later.

 

[sorce]

I like JKL's proposed layer.

Gotta get the widest base while you can.

Let the Battle of the Bulge stay in history books.

Sorce

 

[Drohnen]

I love the idea of turning this awkward clump of branches into a bonsai. I like weird monstrous looking trees. This one could look so unique in The future!

Any updates?