To Air Layer or not

[Fred]

Hi Folks

I have a two questions on the subject of Air layering:
(1) I know spring / summer is the time to start air layering but what if I start one now on an evergreen (Eucalypt)? I assume it will still proceed but at a much slower pace.

(2) What would happen if I started an air layer on a deciduous tree (Acer palmatum) now? The maple still is in leaf but starting to get it's autumn colours. When I ring bark the branch I want to air layer off, this will effect the transfer of nutrients and hormones back down the trunk for wintering over. When the tree looses it's leaves, it will shut down and any rooting activity on the air layer will cease until the spring? Will it abort this branch?

Regards

Fred

[Scott Roxburgh]

I have never air layered a native, but for me the most succesful time (only ever done deciduous/junipers) is late winter just before leaves emerge.

[AndrewC]

Hi Fred,
I see you are in Christchurch... in a temperate climate I have found that grafting eucalypts is most successful in spring/early summer and there is probably a window of opportunity in Autumn as well, although you might need to artificially increase temperature. I haven't tried layering, but I guess it might follow a similar trend. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Cheers, Andrew.

[MattA]

Hey Fred,

I don't have any experience layering a Eucalypt but heres 2 threads that will definitely help viewtopic.php?f=9&t=553viewtopic.php?f=9&t=553&#p16698

To your second question, I have tried the procedure on a number of species now, including viewtopic.php?f=104&t=4245 The layer from that tree eventually died from exhaustion over summer. I believe that while a layer set in autumn may callous & even form roots, not enough energy is stored, if done at the recommended time the tree has the energy to make a solid set of roots before dormancy & therefore able to store enough energy to ensure success.

Matt

Ps.. With regards root growth, depending on ground temps & species it will often continue even tho a tree is dormant.

[Pup]

Matt A, has hit the nail on the head Soil temperature is all important in growth. As with all plants they make their best growth when Soil temperature is warmer. Even in Alpine areas.

So my advice is, if you can keep the soil at 15 degrees and above you have a chance, as you are going into winter where you get snow.
Soil temps will be low, if your airlayer can be kept warm ( like wrapped up and insulated ) and in a area where you can keep the frost or freezing at bay, you may succeed.

Good luck, spring and early summer are better though.

Cheers Pup

[Gerard]

Easy answer,
Yes if you like to experiment, if you wish to succeed wait till spring.

Possible results,
(1) Layer might die
(2) Ringbarked area might heal over
(3) A few roots are produced but not enough to sustain the new tree
(4) Lots of new roots and a vigourous new tree.