hawthorn crataegus laevigata

same as my questions for the hornbeam post. id like to just trunk chop at the graft, but if air layering and having success making new trees is worth the effort i can wait another season on these trunks to gain some new trees. thanks

The rootstock of the red flowering hawthorn is probably a normal green hawthorn and the rootstock of the hornbeam probably a normal European hornbeam. I would air layer the top half and then cut back the leftover to end up with four trees. In my experience with red hawthorn they do OK with their own roots. I think in most cases the species tops are grafted onto easy to grow rootstock for convenience and to ensure that, especially in the case of hawthorns, you get flowers earlier than if the plants were grown from seed. I would also take a chance and air layer now - as there is a good chance you will have a rooted air layer at the beginning of October - I'm just about to do some myself this weekend and have had great success in the past doing it at this time of year (in the UK). If you have tough winters in your location you may opt to wait until spring of course when in theory there is a better chance of success.

thats the exact answer i was looking for. thank you, and yes we do have tough winters, so this will wait until next spring