Trident Difficult Air Layer - Help Needed Please..

[Ryan1979b]

Hey All,

Quick question which may have been covered before but I coudn't find anything specific to my situation.

I have trident maple with a double crown branch which is become a bit crowded. I am going to take one of the branches off to thin it out a bit. I'm planning to use the branch for a shohin project (hopefully you will see it in that section ) but wanted your thoughts and expertise on whaich way to tackle it.

I have a fairly confined area to work in as the crown is fairly dense. The cutting will be about 8mm in diameter and about 80mm high with 3-4 little branches off it. Ideally I would like to airlayer it but wasnt sure if I have enough room. So the questions are.

1) If I do airlayer it, what is the best time to do it. Buds are about 1 week off swelling. Should I do it now or wait till the leaves harden off?

2) If i cant airlayer and need to take a cutting should I also do it now or wait till the first leaves harden off?

Left this a bit late as the tree is almost about to shoot. Any advice would be appreciated

This is the only photo of the tree Autumn 2011.

DSCN0119s.jpg

Cheers

[anttal63]

Ryan it is always difficult to work in a confined space to layer. Unless you think about coming down to a new leader and can make some space it will be hard. You also lose time developing the existing tree meanwhile. If you decide to go for it wait another month or so for strong growth.Trident 9 out of 10 times i cut off and strike them as a cutting. i have a 90% strike rate. This i would normally do in winter however b4 budburst should be a good time. I have taken many thumb size cuttings. soak in 50/50 plant starter and water ( keep changing weekly ) for a month in my garage then plant out into a colander open mix with a tray of gravel and water under it.!

[Ryan1979b]

Cheers Ant,

I think I will go with the cutting idea. Do you just soak about 10mm of the cutting in the 50/50 fuild mix. Never done this method before?

[anttal63]

Cheers Ant,

I think I will go with the cutting idea. Do you just soak about 10mm of the cutting in the 50/50 fuild mix. Never done this method before?

Thats it mate so that the cut is totally submerged little more wont hurt it! ps i always try to take the cut on an angle to move the cutting in a desired direction when it strikes...