Silver Birch Air Layer

[Scooter_M]

Hey Guys,

My father has a decent size Silver birch in his back yard, and he's remodeling, so i want to grab part of the birch to turn into a bonsai... that and my wife says im getting to many bonsai's, so i figure my get out clause is if i get one for free!

I want to air layer it, but im worried its too late in the year to get that started? Im in Melbourne, so we have a couple of months of reasonable weather yet before tree's will start dropping their leaves and winter really kicks in.. i think sometimes they hang on to closer to may? But im just thinking, the growth pattern of the tree's is it to late to try? How many months will it need to sit for before it gets some roots?

Also as an unrelated question, can someone post me an image of a haunted forest bonsai formation? Was reading about it the other day, but googling it, it doesnt seem to be a common term.

Cheers!!

[Boics]

Hi Scooter.

IF the tree has to go - what have you got to lose?
Give it a crack and see what happens.

Personally I think it might be a fraction late but maybe the Layer Master RAY might chime in with his thoughs.

I know that Bodhi's English Elm tree has had some spooky references - try searching for this.

Regards,

[GavinG]

There's a Zelkova group at the NBPCA, three trees from 1951 that might meet the "haunted forest" description. Not sure where photos are, but a great group.

Gavin

[lackhand]

Can't say about the silver birch, though as stated above, if the tree is coming out anyway, no harm in trying. Unless you can dig the whole tree and use that somehow.

Also as an unrelated question, can someone post me an image of a haunted forest bonsai formation? Was reading about it the other day, but googling it, it doesnt seem to be a common term.

Cheers!!

Walter Pall just posted an article on his blog about what he calls Fairy Tale Style, and I think that may be along the lines of what you're looking for. This thread has a link to the article, along with some pictures, and a link to Bodhi's tree that was mentioned above too.

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=17272&p=175474

Hope that helps. Let us know how the layering goes.

[bodhidharma]

I think to late for Melbourne. But if there is no other choice then there is, as stated, nothing to lose. Why not grab the whole stump?

[Scooter_M]

I think to late for Melbourne. But if there is no other choice then there is, as stated, nothing to lose. Why not grab the whole stump?

That "stump" is a 20 year old tree, so its a little large to be considering that i think, cant imagine what the root span would be like.. Will put the layer on thursday night while im there.

Other thing is, is because its so large, he might not get around to it till after winter, might give me a chance to sort it out.

[Ray M]

Hi Scooter,
Concerning your air layer. It will be a bit of a push to get the layer. A question. How long do you have before the tree will need to be removed? If you think you may have three months of good weather you may be able to get enough roots to cut the layer off.

Regards Ray

[Scooter_M]

Hi Scooter,
Concerning your air layer. It will be a bit of a push to get the layer. A question. How long do you have before the tree will need to be removed? If you think you may have three months of good weather you may be able to get enough roots to cut the layer off.

Regards Ray

Hey Ray,

Im not sure, maybe after winter, maybe not, depends how the rest of the yard goes. Is 3 months not enough time? I've seen so many varied posts, some say 6-10 weeks, some say 6 months... im unsure how some people can have such a big variance of time....

[Boics]

My experience (which is limited) is that some species take longer than others and also some layers will vary in time as well.
I've had layers take and be successful in 6 weeks but most take around 3 months.
My last one on an Japanese maple took around 5 months as the first attempt was unsuccessful.

My belief is that technique really makes a difference to both time and success.
Once again Ray should be able to help here.

[Ray M]

Hi Scooter,

Im not sure, maybe after winter, maybe not, depends how the rest of the yard goes. Is 3 months not enough time? If the tree still has reasonable figure, after 3 months you may have sufficient roots to take the layers off and the trees will strike okay. You need to keep checking for roots as the tree may grow roots quicker. There are so many factors, you need to just keep checking the layer. I've seen so many varied posts, some say 6-10 weeks, some say 6 months... im unsure how some people can have such a big variance of time.... There are several reason why this will happen. The time of year for that species of tree. Is it a time when the tree is growing vigorously, or when the tree has slowed down? What method is used to do the layer? Over the years there has been many methods put forward to do layers. An example is Black Pines. For many years layers have been put on Black Pines by using the tourniquet method. This is very slow. A method I am using now allows me to layer a Black Pine in 4-5 months. How healthy is the tree? Is the tree being watered and fertilized?

Regards Ray

[Scooter_M]

Cheers for the Info guys.

The layer is on, so we'll see what happens.

@Ray, as far as method goes.. not sure what method im using, doing some googling and such i thought there was really only one method? Ring the bark nice and clean. Make sure to strip right back to bare wood. Wrap in moss, glad wrap, cover and tie up.

and of course the Last step is

Will let you guys know in a few months

[fredman]

Any roots yet?

[Scooter_M]

Hey guys,

Sorry for the mass delay, i basically set it up and left it all winter till mid august. And the good news is, it was succesful! small roots, but given the time of year im glad it worked at all. Its back home in a pot now ,ill have to take photo and post it. Basically nothing but a stump, however the stump is starting to sprout with the new season and warmer weather. Also in my haste i put the airlayer in a very inconvenient spot, so i had started a new layer, this time with the better growing season, its already sprouting roots within a few weeks.

So yeah win win overall, hopefully next season will fill out to the beginnings of a nice little tree.

Will post some pics tonight

[Scooter_M]

Sorry for the bad photo, i know its meant to be done against plain back ground etc.. but was a bit rushed last night. Heres the birch.. starting to sprout (i knocked the top one and broke it a bit while moving the pot, hopefully it recovers)

silverbirch jpg.jpg

Either way,what ever the end result for this birch, it'll take a few years but atleast i can say it worked

[Brad75]

Hi Scooter_M,

Congratulations on the successful air layering; mine never worked.

Cheers,

Brad75.