# Dawn Redwood - Can they be Air Layered? **URL:** \ **Category:** Horticulture\ **Created:** [August 6, 2020, 7:06pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/dawn-redwood-can-they-be-air-layered/6715 "2020-08-06T19:06:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bob\_McCarlie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/49beb7/32.png) [@Bob\_McCarlie](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Bob_McCarlie)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 7:06pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/dawn-redwood-can-they-be-air-layered/6715/1 "2020-08-06T19:06:50Z")
I have a rather tall Dawn Redwood (about 4 ft overall). I’ve had it for 3 years now, and it has never budded out a branch below the top foot of the tree. I’m wondering if I could air layer it next spring somewhere below the first branch? Thanks for any advice/wisdom. ![20190911_173717_HDR](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/bonsaimirai/original/2X/f/fd7c2b7c171334670b7efa51ab2f3d4408ac5c24.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Keith-in-UK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f04885/32.png) [@Keith-in-UK](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Keith-in-UK)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 2:14pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/dawn-redwood-can-they-be-air-layered/6715/2 "2020-08-07T14:14:00Z")
According to Bonsai Empire they can be air layered but they don’t specify which method. I think if you did a long shari then wired the branches it would look good, though that’s just my take on the photograph. ---
**Author:** ![JadedEvan](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/jadedevan/32/3962_2.png) [@JadedEvan](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/JadedEvan)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2020, 2:30pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/dawn-redwood-can-they-be-air-layered/6715/3 "2020-08-09T14:30:28Z")
Yes - these can most certainly be air layered! I had a Dawn Redwood that I had transplanted to the ground for ~2 years to thicken up. It had grown to be about 6’ tall and I decided to get two trees from one, so I decided to air layer it right in the middle. I had used the sphagnum moss method where you remove the bark/cambium. While my air layer was successful, I think I was cutting it close because I made these mistakes - Got started too late in the season. If I recall correctly I think I started my air layer in late June / early July - Removed it questionably early. I took it off the same season sometime in September or October. This was definitely cutting it close. While there were plenty of roots I think it could have used a bit more time on the tree Other things to keep in mind - Remember to cut deep. I’ve had two other air layers fail because the wounds calloused and they bridged the strip of bark that was removed. In those situations I think I failed to cut deep enough and cut a band that was wide enough - Don’t rush it. Ryan says that he’s had air layers that have survived over wintering. I’m also here in the PNW - so consistent freezing temperatures are not really a thing. If you’re not getting the roots you want in the first season I’d say leave it and let it continue next spring. I do have some pictures of this whole process that I can share - I just need to dig them up off an old hard drive to share with you. Keep us posted on your choices! Best of luck - that’s a very pretty tree you have. ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_McCarlie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/49beb7/32.png) [@Bob\_McCarlie](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Bob_McCarlie)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/dawn-redwood-can-they-be-air-layered/6715/4 "2020-08-17T20:56:30Z")
I decided to wait until next spring in order to make sure that the tree has maximum time to root. Thanks for the feedback and comments. Much appreciated.