Air Layer Maple Question

[pbx]

Hi guys, just a quick question, im wanting to air layer this maple I picked up to reduce the trunk height... (this will be my first air layer)

Question; Should I go ahead a air layer it now, leaving all the foliage and branches in tact the way they are? then prune back next year at this time once new roots have developed?

or

Prune branches / foliage back first, and then air layer? (thinking this would be too much stress for tree)

or

Hard prune now, let it re-develop over the year, then air layer this time next year?


Ive done alot of research, but cant really find a solid answer with my above question,
Thanks in advance

[treeman]

You should layer now. If you hard prune now you will likely have a lot of bleeding. If you layer, don't prune anything.

[shibui]

You should layer now. If you hard prune now you will likely have a lot of bleeding. If you layer, don't prune anything.

I agree. The more leaves you have on the tree the more food the tree has to make new roots so layering will be quicker with all the foliage intact.
Now is a good time to layer maples.

You can do any pruning that is needed when you cut the layer off later in summer.

[pbx]

Excellent, thanks so much for the feedback