Some Tree in the Air(layer) Tonight!!

Hi ya guys, I was after some advice.
Whilst wander around Chez Monkey and putting up some protection from the heaviest of the rain that we have had (yes Tony, we do get some rain by the seaside!) I have been doing some re-evaluation of some of my trees. I’ve got a Maple that would make 2 better trees rather than 1 bad tree with a telegraph pole for a belly.

So my question is when is the best time to air layer it? Some of my books suggest early summer (when exactly is that?) or should I be doing it a wee bit earlier.

My thanks in anticipation of your reply(s),
Okk, Okk,
Simon

I always do mine in late spring after the first flush of leaves have hardened. Rarely lost a Maple airlayer doing it that way. Just make sure that you are patient and only seperate it when there are sufficient roots.

Kev's quite right but I have airlayered even earlier, just as the buds are opening. If you let the tree then do its own thing without pruning, you will probably find it can be separated by mid summer.