Hmm, conventionally I remove my air layers when the roots have filled throughout the soil ball a good amount. I'm not sure how you treat those for dormancy as that's not an issue here, but if you still have a few months before it there should be enough time for it to get settled in time to handle it like the parent, provided it is a cold hardy plant. If unsure perhaps you could mulch the rootzone of the small plant so it doesn't get as cold. I'm not sure how roots in an air layer still on the parent over winter, perhaps someone else could advise.

Thanks Dan, for the response.

Knowing that most air layers fail after being severed due to their fragile nature on their new roots, I was thinking that dormancy might be the perfect time to remove them and pot them up... if it is actually possible.

The real conundrum is this: If I remove and pot up now, at least I will have 6 or 8 weeks of growing time before leaf fall. If I wait, I will be potting them up right before leaf fall, so no time for roots to strengthen. Unless I bring them indoors, which means they will have to skip dormancy, which might not be good for them either (I'll have to see what kind of chilling requirement it has).

Do you see all the crazy winter related stuff you don't have to worry about in the Bahamas?

I'm hoping some others will chime in... Tony perhaps?

I vote for separating it when it goes dormant. The roots can continue to grow during dormancy (not if they're frozen hard as a rock.) You don't say what zone you're in. If the roots can be kept as warm as the ground and the top is exposed to cool air, it will stay dormant and the roots will continue to develop. I would also suggest preparing the place you intend for the tree to grow and planting it when you sever it.

Hi Gary, I'm in zone 6b, NM... Ave first frost around mid October, but can be mid September! I would sever as soon as dormant before really cold temps. I like your idea of planting in permanent location in that case...

Don't think you gain by removing before the end of season, I would do it in spring.