Trunk Chop right after air layering

[Steven1969s]

Hello everyone.

I just finished air layering a trident maple, but I'm not happy with it and would like to chop down the air layered piece.
The layered piece has plenty of roots and it's in a 2 gallon pot.
Can I chop down the layered piece even though it's only been 2 weeks ?

Steve

 

[Dav4]

Hello everyone.

I just finished air layering a trident maple, but I'm not happy with it and would like to chop down the air layered piece.
The layered piece has plenty of roots and it's in a 2 gallon pot.
Can I chop down the layered piece even though it's only been 2 weeks ?

Steve

Is there foliage below the air layer site?

 

[jquast]

I would leave it and let the foliage pump up the roots, cutting it down now reduces the layered portions ability to strengthen. I'd let it sit through the fall and maybe cut it back in the spring at the earliest.

 

[Steven1969s]

Hi Dav4.

There's plenty of leaves. I air layered it from a branch off of one full grown trident maple tree in my back yard.

Hi Jquast.
That's what I thought. I guess I'll just wait until spring.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Dav4]

Oops, misunderstood the question. Yeah, leave it alone until next spring.

 

[Cypress187]

After an removal of an airlayer, it is wise to reduce the foilage right? because of the lack of roots / evaporation?

 

[Dav4]

After an removal of an airlayer, it is wise to reduce the foilage right? because of the lack of roots / evaporation?

Generally, I'd say no. If you've performed the layer correctly and waited until there is adequate roots to support the canopy, you shouldn't need to remove any foliage.

 

[Cypress187]

Generally, I'd say no. If you've performed the layer correctly and waited until there is adequate roots to support the canopy, you shouldn't need to remove any foliage.

I didn't, because there was alot of foilage above it which I didn't need. So I waited on the bare minumum of roots, and pruned foilage to balance it with the roots.

 

[eferguson1974]

Generally, I'd say no. If you've performed the layer correctly and waited until there is adequate roots to support the canopy, you shouldn't need to remove any foliage.

How do you know when theres enough roots to support the foliage? It probably depends on species is my guess, but is there a guideline? Wouldnt a tree that roots easily from cuttings need less? I have one on my veriagated f ben that has to be cut off. Its slower to root than green ones. Are there any general rules/techniques?
Air layering is a great way to propagate trees, I like it a lot, so thanks to the OP and any advice from those with experiance.

 

[Dav4]

How do you know when theres enough roots to support the foliage? It probably depends on species is my guess, but is there a guideline? Wouldnt a tree that roots easily from cuttings need less? I have one on my veriagated f ben that has to be cut off. Its slower to root than green ones. Are there any general rules/techniques?
Air layering is a great way to propagate trees, I like it a lot, so thanks to the OP and any advice from those with experiance.

I've always use a bag packed with sphagnum moss as my rooting medium. I consider the layer ready to be separated when the bag is FULL of brown, mature roots. This is predicated on layering a smaller branch with a diameter of no more then an inch or two.

 

[leatherback]

Personally, I prefer to separate as soon as roots have started to form, and I see the first ones arrive against the plastic. It does however require a reduction of the foliage, and a very good securing of the layer to the new pot. So far, no problems. As always.. Aftercare is key. If you cannot provive a good shaded and sheltered area, and cannot pot it in a wat that the new plant cannot move, more roots probably is better. Ijust like mine untangled

 

[Steven1969s]

I inspected my air layered maple at 6 weeks and the roots were about 1". At this time I cut it away from the tree and placed it in a 2 gallon pot.
So far so good. It's been 2 weeks.

 

[leatherback]

It's been 2 weeks.

Then, unless a heatwave hits you, you should count yourself a tree richer.