I was wondering if there would be any drawback to airlayering most of what needs to get pruned off while the tree is dormant. I would wait for the plant to wake from dormancy before airlayering, of course, but I would airlayer early in the season.

My thoughts...

If I prune, the roots will have to support what is left, plus the new shoots when it comes out of dormancy.

If I don't prune, the roots will have to support the old growth plus new growth when it comes out of dormancy. The tree does get extra energy from the last year's growth (not that it looks like it needs it judging from the looks of trees that get hard pruned)

If I airlayer early, when the tree comes out of dormancy the tree doesn't get extra energy from old growth, sort of like a hard pruned tree, but still expends some energy and nutrients to the airlayers while pushing out new growth. I guess this will slow growth for the parent tree and slow production, possibly harming the tree if overdone.

It seems like the last option would be the hardest for the tree but I feel bad just lopping off some of the branches on my trees (they need more functional form).

Is there a limit to how many airlayers you would do on the same tree? I understand size matters. what is the maximum number of airlayers you've ever done on a tree? how soon after a tree breaks dormancy can you airlayer?

Nothing is written in stone, but i got to thinking about this while looking at one of my trees that dropped most of it's leaves after last weeks rain and wind in my area. the other trees kept most of their leaves. would love to give some trees to family and friends next season.

Thanks for the help,

Jose

If you wait until Spring, the top-growth may be killed by a hard freeze. Taking cuttings upon dormancy may prevent this loss of propagation material. If you just need a few copies, air layering is the most efficient way to go (if done correctly) but waiting 'til Spring comes with that risk. Good luck.

Ruben - are you saying to take cuttings now and root them indoors over winter?

Jose - there was a thread over the summer showing a long branch with many air layers on it about ever 6".  I think they started at the end of the branch so that one would root first, maybe a few days later the next and so on so as they were ready they were removed.  Of course working from the tip of the branch back.  I am sure it was a potted tree

Not at all, Jo-Ann (unless you have a heated greenhouse or growing room!). Especially for trees growing outdoors, the longer the wait before taking cuttings, the greater the risk. In your case, If you want to take cuttings from your LSU Purple, you should do it sooner than later. If you look at your thread about second crops, you will note that my in-ground LSU P was killed to the ground. The low last Winter here was only 26.8F. Milder than average. Mind you, it was unprotected.

Part of what drives an air-layer is the leaves. The photosynthetic energy is transported to make roots on the air-layer, rather than in the ground for the whole tree. If you air layer when the tree is dormant, or in the spring before the leaves form, then you don't take advantage of the energy.

Better to air layer in late summer, and remove them in the Fall, and then finish pruning in the Spring.