air layering dawn redwood

[killarkai]

hi all,

I just got my hands on some dawn redwood! They are a little bit too tall for bonsai, so I'm thinking of air layering them.
This is going to my first attempt at air layering, I'm just wondering if the thickness of the main branch that I plan to air layer on would be an issue? As you can see from the pics below, the main branch is thinner than my pinky finger, is that too thin to air layering?

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[shibui]

I think it will still be too thin. If you remove a strip of bark there won't be much to hold it up. Maybe you could try tourniquet method for layering which would leave the trunk a little more sturdy while you apply the layer.
Personally, with something this thin I would just strike it as a cutting. Dawn redwood strike quite easily so either cutting or layer should work.

[Jag001]

Just watching the replies to this with interest, I have just acquired a Swamp Cypress and I would assume the Dawn Redwood and Swamp Cypress would react similarly to air layering?

Cheers,
JEff

[killarkai]

I think it will still be too thin. If you remove a strip of bark there won't be much to hold it up. Maybe you could try tourniquet method for layering which would leave the trunk a little more sturdy while you apply the layer.
Personally, with something this thin I would just strike it as a cutting. Dawn redwood strike quite easily so either cutting or layer should work.

Just had a thought - why not try both?
I applied the tourniquet method as you suggested, as well as cutting down five branches for propagation via cuttings. Hope that doesn't stress the tree out too much!

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Just watching the replies to this with interest, I have just acquired a Swamp Cypress and I would assume the Dawn Redwood and Swamp Cypress would react similarly to air layering?

no idea about the swamp cypress... but I'll report back my findings with my dawn redwood if that helps!

[Rory]

They aren't too tall for bonsai!
Just trunk chop them??

To grow a bonsai, this is the perfect start. Air layering is crazy for this stock, as they are far too thin.
Cut the trunk and use the rest as cuttings if you want a group setting.

[Bougy Fan]

I have found swampies a bit slow to put out roots when air layering. Sometime I believe that it is better just to do a chop and get on with developing the bonsai, rather than trying to get another free tree.

[shibui]

I agree Bougie. Swampies are more difficult to get roots - cuttings or layers but Dawn redwood is much easier.

[quote][/They aren't too tall for bonsai!
Just trunk chop them??

To grow a bonsai, this is the perfect start. Air layering is crazy for this stock, as they are far too thin.
Cut the trunk and use the rest as cuttings if you want a group setting.quote]
Absolutely Rory but sometimes the learning is more important than the final destination. We sometimes need to let other people make their own mistakes.

[killarkai]

Absolutely Rory but sometimes the learning is more important than the final destination. We sometimes need to let other people make their own mistakes.

sounds fair, I appreciate all feedback and advice!
I figured the worst case scenario would be me losing half a tree, which would have been gone if I trunk chop it anyways.

[alpineart]

Hi killarkai , mat grab yourself a few bamboo stakes or similar insert into the main pot and tape them to the layering pot . A good puff of wind will snap it off , like holding up a sun umbrella in a wind storm and your efforts will certainly be wasted .
Speaking from experience on several 20mm trunks that were layered and in a sheltered position , they never survived to grow old .

Cheers . Alpine