I performed an air layer in Spring on an Aspen and checked it around August. There was large thickening, but no roots. I re-wounded the callus and replaced spaghnum and continued water/oxygen care. It is now November and all leaves have fallen for the winter. How do I maintain this over winter cold? Do I need to wrap both root system of main tree and the air layer? Do I bring indoors to keep warm? I do not have a greenhouse. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
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Mark, just had this discussion yesterday with a local instructor regarding a Shimpaku I air layered July 25th. Newbie mistake in probably air layering too late in season for Chicago. I was going to cover air layer and pot in rubber mulch, but I was told that covering other branches under air layer would not be good. Gentleman suggested I remove the air layer and start again in Spring. As new guy I asked about wrapping or pasting over area with bark removed and I was told not needed. Hope this perspective may help. Curious to hear from others…regards.
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Ryan covers this in the Air Layer Separation stream, I believe. Basically, it’ll be fine. Just leave it alone and look for root growth in the Spring.
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I saw that stream, but I’m not sure he is talking about Colorado winters. I would think the air layer created roots would be exposed and freeze to death. Seems like I should protect them.
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Protect them with an insulation of some kind, maybe leaves in a garbage bag… but be aware, the theory is… the rooting area is higher in sugars, allowing for frost protection.
I have never lost an aspen, down to -5F with minimal covering.
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If the top survives winter and leafs out, I would re-scrape the cambium layer, add rooting powder, and cover it back up. May take another spring.
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Strange, Aspan grow crazy fast… should have had good roots in fall, cut off and pot up the naxt spring…
HOWEVER, I’m 0 for 6 on airlayers myself…
I bought 3 pots of cheap aspen… put together a forest…
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