Crab apple air layer

[crab apple]

I bought a crab apple the other day with the intentions of doing root work this spring as well as a fairly low truck chop although there are no branches down there. However there is an alright section on top that I could air layer. I'm ok with taking an extra year. Now im wondering, if I air layer it wouldn't that amount to a trunk chop at an inappropriate time of year, probably near fall? provided i expect to keep the bottom part. Do I need to pick one or the other?
Also im curious if the crab apple doesn't have quite the chill hours in my local to set fruit could it still grow ok and maybe even flower?

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Yes, please choose one or the other. Trunk chops and root work are usually not compatible. If you do root work early like an air layer a couple month later would work fine.

One major insult per year is a good guideline.

Depends one where the crab was sourced. If a southern cultivar likely yes.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[caffeinated]

I usually separate air layers in fall. The resulting trunk chop will generally either have more die-back and / or heal more slowly vs. separating (trunk chopping) in the spring. You could always leave your layer on over the winter and remove it in the spring if you want faster healing of the chop wound.