Castorcrap:

The process of air layering involves interrupting the flow of nutrients from the leaves to the roots thus causing a backup at the location of the girdling, in turn causing the emergence of roots. So you can see that layering should be carried out after the leaves have matured and hardened off. I have never reduced the foliage, as this would seem to be counterproductive. See the link below for a more detailed explanation.

By the way I think what you are suggesting would more accurately be described as a ground layer. There is an interesting technique that involves binding the trunk with wire instead of girdling, this is a slower process but is supposed to have the advantage of causing a swelling of the trunk at the site of the binding, thereby enhancing the taper. I tried this on a Beech ground layer last summer but I intend to leave it at least another year so I cant report any results yet.

Norm

Here is a link that might be useful: Air Layer

Castorcrap:

The process of air layering involves interrupting the flow of nutrients from the leaves to the roots thus causing a backup at the location of the girdling, in turn causing the emergence of roots. So you can see that layering should be carried out after the leaves have matured and hardened off. I have never reduced the foliage, as this would seem to be counterproductive. See the link below for a more detailed explanation.

By the way I think what you are suggesting would more accurately be described as a ground layer. There is an interesting technique that involves binding the trunk with wire instead of girdling, this is a slower process but is supposed to have the advantage of causing a swelling of the trunk at the site of the binding, thereby enhancing the taper. I tried this on a Beech ground layer last summer but I intend to leave it at least another year so I cant report any results yet.

Norm

Here is a link that might be useful: Air Layer