i have no idea what him or the book said but thank you for the info haha. i will keep an eye on it then give it a shot when the sprout stops producing late spring maybe... do you think spagnum moss ismore effective? thats what i plan on using for my air layering
For the purpose of air layering, 'when the shoot stops extending' is more or less equal to 'as leaves harden', which is usual timing for many species that we commonly air layer in bonsai, like Japanese Maples.
I normally use my bonsai substrate and an open-top container, but I am present all day to survey watering needs. In this case, since it sounds like the tree is not on your property, yes,
I would increase the amount of sphagnum, and wrap tightly on both ends.
My recommendation would be to air layer at a junction of 3 branches, or 2 being the next best option. In my experience, air layers tend to work better at such junctions, and it also gives you options to grow 3-trunk, 2-trunk, 1-trunk bonsai, and/or use 1-2 of the branches as sacrifice branches to get that root system and nebari going. Personally, I would not air layer a
thick branch unless it had good movement and I had a clear path for making it a great bonsai -- I would make it a point to prioritize movement over girth. In terms of aesthetics, there is seemingly no limit to what one can do with a cherry, and the tall thin ones (1st and 3rd image) are to me no less interesting to have in one's garden than any other tree in this line up.
The best way to figure out what species/variety this is, is to ask the owner where they got it, and then ask that garden center to check their records of what they ordered/sold that year. That would at least narrow things down.
All pictures taken from web