Air-layering a Tilia americana

Hey all,
Has anyone had any experiences or tired to layer a Linden?
I have one in the yard, its getting quite big and before I prune it back this fall "09" I would like to try a layer or two off it.
Thanks,
KJ

Are you sure that what you have is American linden or basswood? It has gigantic leaves. Were you thinking of using it for bonsai? Even European linden is not that successful. Why bother?
Iris

Hi KJ,

My linden bonsai is a called Little-Leaf (Tilia cordata) it's leaves are 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches with reduction of leaves possible. The common American linden (Tilia americana) has leaves that are 3 to 7 inches which are huge , I know because my neighbor's full-grown yard tree drops it's leaves in my yard every fall.

I suspect, as Iris stated, that to make this tree a bonsai might be futile or at least discouraging. The smaller version however can be grown here and even survive our subzero winters. My linden is becoming rather nice but I did do a ground layer which was half successful. They are "fussy" growers with regular die-back and caterpillars love to eat the leaves..... but it's a challenge which I enjoy!

Good luck!

Norma

Thanks Norma and Iris,
I'm fairly sure its an American linden, I didn't plant it, was here when I bought the house.
But I'm still game for trying this material, I'll have to develop it into a larger bonsai, but this I was planning on anyway. I use M. Dirr's book to identify the tree and read what he wrote, but was just wondering if any bonsai
artist has used this material?
Thanks again,
Sincerely,
KJ