Usually a method of propagating, but in this case, just a means of getting rid of about 1m of leafless trunk. You either cut into the stem or strip the bark in a ring around the stem, put rooting powder on the wound, pack compost or moss round it and encase it in polythene or foil and, if all goes to plan, the plant will put out roots from the wound and can eventually be potted up after severing the stem below the new root ball.

I would wait until it is the beginning of the growing season... Just my opinion.. The tree will be more active and ready for growth .

Good Luck

Laura

great advise from above poster..

I would wait until springtime as well. I'm not very familiar with air layering since my climate is plumeria friendly 10 out of 12 months. I have had branches partially break during a storm and they air layered by themselves.

Hi all,

thanks for the responses. I'm of the same mind about waiting for the next growing season except that I think it may be easier to protect it against the ravages of winter if it's a metre shorter, assuming of course that I can chop it before the cold starts.

Also, the winter really takes it's toll, and the plant really only gets going again early to mid summer. I wonder whether recovering from the winter AND coping with making new roots at the same time might be too much to ask.

I could wait until it really gets going next year, but it could well be another foot taller by then and if past events are anything to go by, something bad will happen to it!

i guess I'm going to go for it nowish.

Wish us luck.

Andy.

Good Luck Andy!!!

Keep us posted on how it works for you!!!

Sending good vibes to you and your beautiful tree!!

i wanted to share a pic of one of my trees suffering from severe stem sunburn a few years ago. To look at the tree from a few feet away, you wouldn't be able to tell it had any issues Once I was close and saw something white, I was so surprised to see a natural air layering taking place. The tree was taking can of the stem problem and still held onto a beautiful healthy set of leaves. That is why I never looked close at this tree. I took the bark and pushed it up higher to allow the roots to continue with its own healing process .

Mother nature is awesome...

Laura

I've had no success air layering. I've tried it, but it didn't work out. Perhaps it was my technique.

I would not try it this time of year. I'm sure it would sit like that until maybe May before it did anything. And it could just rot at that point.

I could be wrong though.

Hi All,

Still a bit nervous about the whole thing and did a bit more checking - found this:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2101994/air-layering