Utah Juniper--Can't Dig It But Can I Air Layer

[BoondoxUtah]

First post here and a total newbie. I have spent a ton of time searching the forums using all the appropriate key words and I just can't find an answer to my question. Context: I have access to some private land with Utah Juniper on it. There are tons of deer in the area and in this location the trees are heavily browsed. It is also in a rural agricultural area and many of the trees' main trunks have been harvested for fence posts. The tree in question has had this happen, and the branches left below the cut have become multiple leaders. The first picture shows the trees in context, the small multi-trunk tree on the left is the tree I am interested in. The second photo shows the tree closer, with the cool part on the right. In the third photo you can see what caught my eye. The two thicker branches at the top of the photo are the leaders of the tree coming off one side. All of the foliage seen in the picture is below where the leaders take off. It would be my intention to eventually chop these, and to focus on the really interesting lower area. This is a pretty old tree and is rooted in deep soil, so I believe it is way to much trouble trying to dig this up (if it was even possible). "Junipers" are supposed to be easy to air layer, but I couldn't find anything specific to Utah Juniper. Do they respond to air layering? If you can, how big of branch can you air layer? This branch is 4.25 inches, and has a small strip of dead would on the top. The last two photos shows this. I know that some air layering can take a long time and I am that patient. Abandon the project or see if it works?

 

[TrevorLarsen]

Welcome to the site. I also Live in Utah. You should add your location to your profile so when people click on your name it shows your general location. You will need to water the air layer and it could take 2 years until the layer successful so keep that in mind.

 

[BoondoxUtah]

Thanks Trevor. Planned on a long air layer, just wanted to see if Utah Juniper responds. Now I have another question about the same tree. Given that the branch is horizontal and nearly perpendicular to the upright cool section, can I make an air-layer that goes diagonally across the branch. I would do this so as to make the planting angle easier when and if the layer is successful. See attached photo for what I mean.

 

[Lorax7]

Air layering is a bit of an art and it generally takes a few tries to get the hang of it. I'd recommend you get your feet wet by working on some nursery stock before you attempt to do anything with these landscape trees.

 

[TrevorLarsen]

I don’t have experience air layering Juniper but lots of people do it maybe they can give advice. I would also suggest getting some practice since it is an art to master.

 

[Ruddigger]

There are tricks to air layering native junipers. You cant just do it like a maple or even like a shimpaku. It’s going to be almost impossible to do it in the field unless you know the right technique and have access to the tree on a daily basis to keep it watered.

 

[Paradox]

Seems like more trouble than it's worth honestly

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I would grab a shovel, bury that part since it's just an inch or three above ground (as far as I can tell).
Water it heavily every time you visit.
Check in two years and maybe it produced roots.

 

[Esolin]

I would not remove the cambium all the way around, but instead scrape and wound the cambium where I want roots, then bury that portion in soil. I know nothing about Utah Junipers, but my amateur attempts to air layer junipers have not been successful. They tend to react much better to ground layering/not completely cutting the live vein.

 

[BoondoxUtah]

I like the burying ideas. Thanks. I live close enough to monitor and add moisture regularly. Any comments on the use of a diagonal girdle, (or partial girdle as per Esolin above) to increase the potential area for root growth--in the same area, the circumference of an oval is bigger than a circle.

 

[Ruddigger]

Do not girdle or cut the cambium.

 

[Colorado]

Not sure how much land you have access to, but I think you’d be better off finding some that you can dig. There’s bound to be some good ones out there!

 

[BoondoxUtah]

Yes, I have my eye on some to dig, but this tree was so close to my home........ . I'll ponder the burying idea for a bit.