Air Layering Crab Apple?

[James H]

When I was at my local walmart I found a small Crab Apple tree that has a great twisted nabari. I would like to possibly make a Shohin bonsai out of it but dont want to kill the tree if I cut off the top.

 

[Poink88]

Air layering may be worse than a direct chop for the bottom part actually.

 

[coh]

Is the top worth air layering? You can definitely layer crab apples (I've done a few) but if you start a layer now, you'll have to wait 2 months (or more, maybe) to remove the top...so you'll effectively be trunk chopping in the latter part of the summer. Probably not the best time. On the other hand, chopping now should result in a decent amount of new growth if the tree is healthy. Or you could just wait until spring.

Is the tree grafted? (Most are). If it is, where is the graft with respect to the part you want to save?

Chris