I have an extremely large, productive, and lush VdB tree.  Today a 3-4" diameter branch started breaking off (it's a goner) at the base of the tree.  Is it possible to try and root that whole big branch and all the tree that is connected?  I would hate to see that go to waste if there was any way to make it available to a friend.  Just that branch would make a super tree already based on size.

From what i have seen the best air layering was 1 year old growth, I would say try making several air layers, but why not try the thicker branch youre describing, the worse tthing that will happen is it simply doesnt work...

Hi,
Are the leaves on that branch wilting ? If not, you have time to try the airlayer, but if they are already wilting, I'd cut it in sticks of 1' (30cm) long and put them in a pot with 2/3 buried in the potting mix.
Keep them in a half shaded area and keep them fresh and watered, and let them root.
For space saving, I use 3 sticks per pot .
Good luck.
July is a better month for making summer cuttings (young wood already hardened  ) , but if you have no other choice ... Go ahead !

I rooted a 2m (6ft?) x 15cm (6") cuttings this spring.
I just buried the whole stem horizontally and covered ut with 2" of soil. Growth is strong but on dozens of new branches.

Wow do u mind telling us how u rooted that Magnofico? How was the growth?
I am trying to root a 30cm x 15cm one at the moment. I just buried the whole trunk and also put growth hormone on it