Prepping Cork Elm for Air Layer

[just.wing.it]

Cutting it back for the year.....it was allowed to grow freely for all of 2020 because this spring I did its initial root work, from a big deep nursery bucket. Many roots were removed, so this year was recovery time.
Today, its frozen solid and ready for work.

It has a bad taper problem half way up the trunk.....maybe future corking up could fix it, but I'm not waiting for that.
I will be air layering the trunk next year, I'll start it in the spring....a few weeks after leaves open up and begin to darken up.

It also has 2 big chop scars up top.....which will get attention after the separation, and recovery. The lower section could make a gnarly hollowed out fairytale-esque tree in the future, post-separation.

 

[rollwithak]

Where are you planning to make the air layer cut?

 

[just.wing.it]

Where are you planning to make the air layer cut?

I'm going to do it near the inverse taper area, but not totally sure yet. I could go above the branches that are right there and try to root them as cutrings, which was my original thought. Or I could ring it lower, right at the bad taper line. Still thinking in that....

 

[rollwithak]

I'm going to do it near the inverse taper area, but not totally sure yet. I could go above the branches that are right there and try to root them as cutrings, which was my original thought. Or I could ring it lower, right at the bad taper line. Still thinking in that....

I do love that movement right at the bottom and the idea of making two trees out of it. The middle gets long and straight, what are your thoughts on this? This is what my inexperienced a** would think about doing.....

 

[just.wing.it]

I do love that movement right at the bottom and the idea of making two trees out of it. The middle gets long and straight, what are your thoughts on this? This is what my inexperienced a** would think about doing.....

I think it'll end up closer to your second, higher suggestion....or in between the 2.

 

[just.wing.it]

Well, I decided to not air layer this tree....at least for now.
Just gonna enjoy the grotesque monstrosity that it is for a while.
One other factor was Black Spot and some other Gall type of thing going on..... trying Bonide Infuse on it.
Can't be air layering a sick tree.....but damn, for a sick tree this thing is growing like a beast.