Pulled my first successful air-layer after a year of trying on an old maple in Boise

I was out at a client's property last month, trying to save this big maple they're gonna lose to a retaining wall project. Finally got the roots to show after wrapping it in damp sphagnum and waiting almost 8 weeks. Anybody else have better luck with certain tree species for air-layering?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_jake8d ago

First roots showing is such a good feeling. I've had way better luck with things like dogwood and willow, they root up in like half the time. Maples can be stubborn, I usually start seeing roots around 6 weeks but sometimes it drags out. The sphagnum wrap trick works but you gotta keep it consistently damp, not soaking wet.

mason_reed477d ago

Buddy of mine tried air-layering a silver maple in his front yard and it took him almost four months before he saw anything. He was about to give up when he noticed a tiny root poking through the sphagnum. Turns out he had the wrap too tight and was suffocating the cambium layer. Loosened it up and the roots went crazy within a few weeks. He swears by using clear plastic wrap now so he can peek without unwrapping everything.

wright.leo7d agoMost Upvoted

Pretty sure your buddy was overthinking it. Four months for a silver maple is ridiculous, those things root from a wet paper towel half the time. Most people just jump straight to blaming the wrap when really the tree just wasn't in the mood. Clear plastic wrap isn't some magic trick either, you can just use a sandwich bag and a rubber band and see the same thing.