air layering questions

Rowdy · 03-06-2011, 02:40 PM

i am planning to air layer a few trees i have on my property, mainly wisteria, boxwood, maple, and rose of sharyn. my main question is above the spot i want to layer on a few of these trees are alot of wild growth especially the wisteria. should i trim back the growth before layering or should i let it go, then trim back once its ready to transplant? will update thread with pics once it stops pouring out..

treebeard55 · 03-07-2011, 05:22 PM

I always trim back a bit, primarily taking off growing tips. I want the tree's energy going into root formation for a while, not into branches.

Rowdy · 03-07-2011, 06:25 PM

thats where i am confused, by making the layer wouldnt the leaves be feeding the tree at that location as opposed to the tree getting nutrients from the roots?

treebeard55 · 03-07-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowdy

... by making the layer wouldn't the leaves be feeding the tree at that location as opposed to the tree getting nutrients from the roots?

No, but don't feel bad. Here's what happens. Water and nutrients from the roots rise thru the sapwood, which lies right under the cambium. You'll remove the cambium where you do your layer, but not the sapwood, of course.

Sugars and other photosynthates from the leaves do move downward thru the bark and cambium. So the sugars from the air-layer's leaves will only go as far as the girdle you make, where they will (we trust) fuel the development of the new roots.

The rest of the tree will continue to get sugars and other leaf-made goodies from the rest of the foliage.

Rowdy · 03-07-2011, 10:18 PM

ok i see now.

i had thought the outside layers were where the transport of nutrients took place. its a nice relief knowing i can trim back before layering..

philgrayser · 03-13-2011, 06:18 AM

Hi Rowdy, i always like to feed my trees before air layering as this also gives a bit more energy to the tree to help rooting and it also helps with the shock of such a trauma to the tree. cheers Phil G

03-06-2011, 02:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rowdy Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brick, New Jersey, 6b Posts: 14	air layering questions i am planning to air layer a few trees i have on my property, mainly wisteria, boxwood, maple, and rose of sharyn. my main question is above the spot i want to layer on a few of these trees are alot of wild growth especially the wisteria. should i trim back the growth before layering or should i let it go, then trim back once its ready to transplant? will update thread with pics once it stops pouring out..

03-07-2011, 05:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
treebeard55 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Warsaw IN, USA USDA zone 5b Posts: 511	I always trim back a bit, primarily taking off growing tips. I want the tree's energy going into root formation for a while, not into branches. __________________ Treebeard 55 Steve Moore http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

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03-07-2011, 06:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rowdy Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brick, New Jersey, 6b Posts: 14	thats where i am confused, by making the layer wouldnt the leaves be feeding the tree at that location as opposed to the tree getting nutrients from the roots?

03-07-2011, 10:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rowdy Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brick, New Jersey, 6b Posts: 14	ok i see now. i had thought the outside layers were where the transport of nutrients took place. its a nice relief knowing i can trim back before layering..

03-13-2011, 06:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
philgrayser philgrayser Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 132	Hi Rowdy, i always like to feed my trees before air layering as this also gives a bit more energy to the tree to help rooting and it also helps with the shock of such a trauma to the tree. cheers Phil G

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