I started with air-layers of very large branches/trunks. Most are about 2" in diameter. I really didn't know any better back then. The ones I set last summer I removed and kept potted through until early this spring. I then planted several in our yard. All of them survived. We not have a number of 8 to 10 foot maples crowning in the yard. With the success last year, I set more large ones this spring.

Here are some pictures of one of the ones that I set again this spring. I removed three this last weekend and potted them up. You can see how developed I allow the roots to become. I do heavily prune the removed AL's and remove even additional leaves. One of them started out well over 10 foot in length. The one pictured was the smallest one.

I allow the same root development on fig air-layers before removing them too. I've had 100% success rate on all air-layers so far.



 
 
 


CliffH

That's so cool!!!! It's been a dream of mine to learn how to make my own syrup. I know I need sugar maples for that though

That looks like a great methods for substantial sized branches do you just cut a rounding hole in the box?

Gotta love those instant trees ;-)

Looks good.  I tried air-layering some Southern Magnolia branches a couple years ago, but none made any roots.  Did you use rooting hormone?

I griddled the branches about 1 1/2" wide. Then used rooting hormone. Last year I just used the powdered stuff from HD. This year I used Clonex. The ones I did last year, I had a much smaller root ball on. But I still let it get completed packed with roots before removing it. I also let them get dried out some, as it helps keep the root ball from falling apart.

Very nice Cliff. What kind of maple trees are these?

Impressive results.

Sas - Just the standard Red Maple that grown naively here in Texas.

We have a lot a smaller one growing in under the lager trees in the acre or so of woods we have on a place. They get no light, so they never really grow correctly. Just get long and very lanky. I just wanted to move some better trees out into our yard. I've air-layered several other ornament trees and bushes. I started practicing on these last year after first learning about air-layering, before I tried it on any fruit trees.


CliffH