AustraLAYER day

[Gerard]

For a few years now I have worked to this plan.
For deciduous trees I set my airlayers on Melbourne Cup Day (first week in November)
I sever these layers on Australia Day
The first tree is an unusual maple veriety "seiryu"
The tree is quite old (20+) and has beautiful pinkish grey bark, excellent foliage and terrible roots.

airlayers 001.jpg

layered 002.jpg

layered 004.jpg

layered 015.jpg

This result has me very pleased, I managed to set the layer on a slight diagonal which allowed me to achieve a nice planting angle and a nicely tapered tree.

[Paul B]

I will give you my missus for a week just for a cutting of that

[Gerard]

I will give you my missus for a week just for a cutting of that

layered 016.jpg

Cuttings taken in November, looks like half will survive.
Look me up when you are in Melbourne

[Paul B]

cheers , might give em a few months growth first hey.

[Luke308]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression maple should not have their roots disturbed whilst the are active (eg not dormant). Or is it okay if you disturb them, but not root-prune?? I understand that you have done this Melbourne cup/Australia day thing before, so obviously you haven't had any dramas?

[Gerard]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression maple should not have their roots disturbed whilst the are active (eg not dormant). Or is it okay if you disturb them, but not root-prune?? I understand that you have done this Melbourne cup/Australia day thing before, so obviously you haven't had any dramas?

Hi Luke, that is a great question.
I never repot a maple at this time of year but airlayers are different in that if you leave the layer on too long the bark will heal and the new roots will die back.
In order to be successful I want to do the ringbark when growth is rampant and sever the layer when there is still enough time for the tree to establish itself on the new roots before it goes dormant.

[Luke308]

Hi Luke, that is a great question.
I never repot a maple at this time of year but airlayers are different in that if you leave the layer on too long the bark will heal and the new roots will die back.
In order to be successful I want to do the ringbark when growth is rampant and sever the layer when there is still enough time for the tree to establish itself on the new roots before it goes dormant.

That makes sense. However the shishigashira I was given is from a recent layering, and that was severed at the end of winter. Do you think location makes much of a difference? eg Im in Adelaide your in Melbourne?

[Gerard]

I do not think that Adelaide and Melbourne would differ much but layering works most of the year. I am simply sharing what I am confident with, other practices may well be more successful.
I must say that I was not comfortable today when removing a few heavy branches from trunks, should I have left a stub or cut flush and hoppe for faster healing? Would have preferred to make those cuts in winter but had no choice.

[kcpoole]

Hi Luke, that is a great question.
I never repot a maple at this time of year but airlayers are different in that if you leave the layer on too long the bark will heal and the new roots will die back.
In order to be successful I want to do the ringbark when growth is rampant and sever the layer when there is still enough time for the tree to establish itself on the new roots before it goes dormant.

That makes sense. However the shishigashira I was given is from a recent layering, and that was severed at the end of winter.

My Question is why do you have layers on Deciduous trees ready to take off in early spring?
That means that you put them on during autumn which I think is far too late. Put layers on in Spring, Take off in late summer so the layer has time to establish before winter.

the only time I would differ from this is larger Pines and Juniper, where the layer will need to be on for a full year or more.
Ken

[Luke308]

That means that you put them on during autumn which I think is far too late. Put layers on in Spring, Take off in late summer so the layer has time to establish before winter. Ken

I'm not entirely sure it was. Like I said it was given to me, but I asked the guy who gave it to me when I should layer my deciduous trees, and he said spring. So that leaves me thinking he left it on for a lot longer because it had minimal root growth, or perhaps he leaves them on for a year?? I will find out when I see him at the next club meeting.

[kcpoole]

Ah, OK that makes sense

Ken