AusBonsai

Hi all, have a question about this apricot tree. I am planning to create a layer just at the bottom of the branch where it bends.

The question is that this branch is about 2meters long, and all the leaves are at the end of the branch, and I only plan on using the beginning of this branch where it has some movement in the trunk.

Do I cut off the excess trunk now, and let it generate leaves and then layer it when hopefully it regenerates new foliage ?

Or can I layer it now, and then cut off the top excess after the layer is completed.This is pretty much a trunk chop, but wondering if this is too much stress on the tree, as it's going through a layer and then a trunk chop.

Sorry if this is confusing....




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Hi yamadorikid,
If I was doing this layer, I would layer the tree and leave it. After the tree has developed a good root system, I would remove the layer, pot it, and let it develop a good root system. If the tree develops some new growth, after potting the layer, you could slowly reduce the height over time making sure that there is sufficient foliage to keep the tree healthy. I would leave the tree for at least 3-4 months before start the reduction.

Regards Ray

Thanks Ray, but the tree would be about 2 meters high after I remove the layer. Would be together hard for me to transport it home.

Would it be wise to do the layer, but cut it shorter after it has generated a healthy amount of new roots?

So before removing the layer, I'd remove some of the length first , then let it heal, then remove the layer?



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Hi yamadorikid,
It might be helpful to look at a few alternatives.

Do I cut off the excess trunk now, and let it generate leaves and then layer it when hopefully it regenerates new foliage ?

This is certainly a very good approach. If the tree is available to you for a period of time, this would be a very successful way to achieve what you want. Cut it back and let it take off. Depending on what time of year you get good grow back will determine when you should do the layer. If you get good grow back by the beginning of December and place the layer on then, you should get a successful layer. If not sufficient growth develop the tree and do the layer next year.

If I was doing this layer, I would layer the tree and leave it. After the tree has developed a good root system, I would remove the layer, pot it, and let it develop a good root system. If the tree develops some new growth, after potting the layer, you could slowly reduce the height over time making sure that there is sufficient foliage to keep the tree healthy. I would leave the tree for at least 3-4 months before start the reduction.

This is another idea I mentioned in the previous post.

but the tree would be about 2 meters high after I remove the layer. Would be together hard for me to transport it home.

If you did this. After cutting the layer off the host tree, leave the layer wrapped in the plastic. For further protection wrap the layer in wet cloths to keep it cool. This would allow you to transport the tree laying down. When home, remove the cover off the layer and plant the layer. Make sure you secure the layer very securely with guy rope/ties so that the roots won't get damaged with movement. As the tree develops and produces foliage, slowly reduce the height.

When you put the layer on throw a bucket of Seasol on the host tree. You could also give the tree a good feed of an appropriate fertilizer.

Regards Ray

If I was doing this layer, I would layer the tree and leave it. After the tree has developed a good root system, I would remove the layer, pot it, and let it develop a good root system. If the tree develops some new growth, after potting the layer, you could slowly reduce the height over time making sure that there is sufficient foliage to keep the tree healthy. I would leave the tree for at least 3-4 months before start the reduction.

The first branch looks very long so i would try and approach graft it lower on the tree and put the air layer on and leave it.

once you get a good root system and the graft takes just cut it back, you can cut it above the first branch if the graft has not taken 100%.

All brilliant ideas to try....

thanks for everyones input....

i will be doing 2 layers on this tree this weekend, so im thinking that ill do 2 different procedures.

1st one i will cut it down, and let it bud out and generate a new set of leaves and do a layer in couple months, once there is sufficient enough leaves.

2nd one i will do a layer now, and then transport it home, repot it, and slowly reduce the height over the months when its more healthy.

I will put picks up to keep the status of how its going.