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Larch- Best time to air layer?
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Author:  johnbaz [ 12 Dec 2019, 13:28 ]
Post subject:  Larch- Best time to air layer?

Hi all

I was give this tall Larix around five years ago but it has a Shohin sized tree lurking at the top that I would like to air layer, Mainly to reduce the height of the tree with a new, Shorter leader but with the bonus of a nice upright smaller tree!! :smallthumb:

I've never air layered Larch (Or any tree for that matter!!) before, Don told me years ago that the tree should be in full leaf that has hardened off but I don't know if that includes these deciduous conifers!!


The tree..

Image

The proposed air layer..

Image

And new leader!

Image


Has anyone layered a Larch before or know when the best time to apply it would be?, I've loads of sphagnum moss at the ready and can't wait to have a go! (Also have a lanky Maple to have a go at too!! ;-) )



John :razz:

Author:  Brendan [ 12 Dec 2019, 14:36 ]
Post subject:  Re: Larch- Best time to air layer?

Just follow the general approach to layering and do it once spring has sprung. The late Arihato did not think larch could be layered, but then some peeps have succeeded.

Author:  johnbaz [ 12 Dec 2019, 14:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Larch- Best time to air layer?

Brendan wrote:
Just follow the general approach to layering and do it once spring has sprung. The late Arihato did not think larch could be layered, but then some peeps have succeeded.



Oh dear!!

Sounds a bit fraught!! :200unsure: :200unsure:


Cheer Brendan :201thumbup:

John :razz:

Author:  Betula [ 12 Dec 2019, 18:32 ]
Post subject:  Re: Larch- Best time to air layer?

Yes it can be done- I did it as an experiment 3 years ago- just wait till the needles have fully emerged late May- June and go for it!

Author:  johnbaz [ 12 Dec 2019, 22:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: Larch- Best time to air layer?

Betula wrote:
Yes it can be done- I did it as an experiment 3 years ago- just wait till the needles have fully emerged late May- June and go for it!



Many thanks :smallthumb:

I'll have a go next year, Even if it fails, I want to remove that part and wire the shorter new leader upwards!!

I also have a Maple that is just a stick with all the foliage at the top!!, I'm going to try that next year too when the leaves have hardened off :Big Thumb:


Image

I was thinking of air layering it here..

Image

And if it does take, I was going to plant the top on an angle thus.

Image


Nothing will seem to grow below, I thought about a thread graft or a peg graft..


Cheers John :201thumbup:

Author:  Keith Hansell [ 13 Dec 2019, 15:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: Larch- Best time to air layer?

Are you looking to keep or remove the right hand branch?

Author:  johnbaz [ 13 Dec 2019, 20:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: Larch- Best time to air layer?

Keith Hansell wrote:
Are you looking to keep or remove the right hand branch?



Hi Keith

I was hoping to keep it as the bottom branch, There seems to be more on the left side to make a new leader and next branch, It's hard to tell from the pic though :132doh:


Cheers, John :201thumbup:

Author:  paulpash [ 15 Dec 2019, 19:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: Larch- Best time to air layer?

I'd class Larch as 'difficult' and more likely to fail than succeed. It'd be more reliable to graft roots on if you have seedlings available. Acer are far more reliable but remember there's no foliage below your proposed layer height. If no buds pop below the layer nothing will be feeding the roots and they will die. Roots will start to emerge on the air layer around August so it's a gamble if they'll be alive still to push water to the upper part of the tree.

Author:  Brendan [ 15 Dec 2019, 23:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: Larch- Best time to air layer?

John I'm pretty sure I suggested on another forum to you first to get some thread grafts to take below the layer site before you do the layer.
I have done thred garfts on TM easily and successfully. Just let a couple of branches extend looong enough to reach down with a few nodes to spare so that they can go through the trunk at a safe distance below your proposed chop point for the layer. AT worst you may need to wait an extra season, but you should be pretty assured of 2 trees.

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