air layering 8" elm

[Shay]

Hello,
There is an old elm near my home that has a low branch or trunk and I was thinking of air layering it...
Its 8" or so at the point I want to layer.
Is it possible?
When should I start if yes?
The picture was taken at night, sorry.
Thank you,
Shay

 

[sorce]

Holy massive hell!

If that is a branch coming out t h e left..... consider taking it off and ringbarking there.

Below it will leave you a big scar at the base.

Same arrow on the right. Just to above the branch on the left.

Yes do it. Just use a lot of chopped moss. Or a big pot.
After the first set of leaves harden.

Sorce

 

[Shay]

No its another branch in the back. the one i plan to layer is clean all around the red line I drew.
I can always go up to the 5-6" diameter if its too big... the tapering is very steep. what do you think?
Ill go for it post updates when ill have them.
Thank you!!

 

[Shay]

Update:
First of all its not an elm... Its a hackberry. I have made a beginners mistake
I have started the layering at April 18th. No this is how it looks... I'll cut it off early before I'll get in to summer and have to wait it out. I'll post more next week.
Shay

 

[Eric Group]

Good Lord, that is a massive chunk of tree to layer! Looks like you got some good roots already, but I'd prolly give it a few more weeks at least before you consider removing the layer. Good luck!

 

[discusmike]

I'd rather have hackberry over our native elm,hope it goes well.

 

[Shay]

I'd rather have hackberry over our native elm,hope it goes well.

yes I agree... I was very excited to realize its a hackberry.

 

[M. Frary]

I'd rather have hackberry over our native elm,hope it goes well.

Why?

 

[GrimLore]

I'd rather have hackberry over our native elm,hope it goes well.

You don't like native Elm?

Grimmy

 

[Shay]

The main reason I was excited was because I don't have on...
Other then that I like Elms very much.
maybe its what I see here and have a narrow perspective, but the hackberries we have here are much more impressive then the elms.
have nothing against them though

 

[discusmike]

You will have better leaf reduction and internode length with hackberry,better ramification.

 

[Shay]

Got it this evening...
I'll post more photos in daylight.
And eventually the actual diameter is 6-7 inches.
There was a lizard hiding in the moss at the bottom of the firs picture
I think it will be a nice tree... Potential front with right branch as leader at picture 3.
Thanks for watching.

 

[M. Frary]

You will have better leaf reduction and internode length with hackberry,better ramification.

I'll beg to differ. Can get elm down to way under 1/2 ". In a year. American elm. Siberian chews that length up. 1/4"

 

[discusmike]

Love to see pics

 

[M. Frary]

I'll get some pictures tomorrow. I have a couple.

 

[klosi]

You planted it in snow. Not sure it's a good idea...

 

[Shay]

white fluffy rocks is the only snow we get here...

 

[Kodama16]

Darn good find!

 

[M. Frary]

First picture regulation size.
The second picture is a tree with leaves reduced by trimming back only. If I was to defoliating one of these I'm pretty sure I can make them even smaller.