Japanese Maple Air-layer Success Rate

ninja

Hello everyone,

I just purchased a japanese maple and I wanted to air-layer part of the trunk. I was wondering if now would be a good time to do an air-layer on a JM. I know the best time is spring but I was thinking since it takes a while for roots to develop that maybe they can survive long enough until it gets warm. I live in lower Alabama were the coldest it gets is 35F (on rare occasions), however the tree is dormant so that might slow it down.

Also what are your success rates when it comes to air-layering JMs?

One more thing, when is the best time to do a major trunk chop on a JM? I'm talking cutting off 4/5ths of the tree.

Thanks for your replies in advance.

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Carl_Bergstrom

I wouldn't trunk chop a tree and layer at the same time. You need the upper foliage to push the roots at the layer site. That said, I suspect that your chop is best done is early spring, right before the buds begin to swell.

As for timing the layer, why not wait and do it at the right time? What's two months?

Best regards,
Carl

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Tony

Air layers should be done after things warm up a bit. Mid spring. It's the warmth that gets the sap flowing and makes the whole thing work. Wait til days are consistently in the 70's and the new growth above the layer has hardened off.

Tony