Time 4 Airlayering????

Hello All,
Its just turned Spring here in Mid-Illinois, and Im wondering from anyone who is in the same
zone,,, is NOW the time for air-layering?
Im gonna layer off different, trees and species all around, I have access to about all of the native species
of Tree from Zone-5 Illinois, just am wondering if NOW is NOW?
Thanks for all,,,
KJ

Well, it "just turned spring" (on Friday, at about 7:22 a.m., if I recall correctly) everywhere in the northern hemisphere. <g>

Whether it is spring enough in Zone 5 depends on whether you expect any more overnight or longer hard freezes. If you do . . . don't.

How on earth do you have access to "about all" of the native species in your area? You're a quite lucky fellow.

I'm in Southern Illinois (by Carbondale), in zone 6. It is too early to air-layer here, even though I've been out in shorts most of last week while working on my trees. I grew up in Bloomington (central Illinois). I know they are at least ten degrees colder than here. Air-laying on most trees work best when the leaves of the tree have "hardened off". This means the new leaves no longer have that soft, supple feeling of spring leaves. Good luck with your air-laying. Some trees are easier than others.

Dear Jim and All Interested,,,
"How on earth do you have access to "about all" of the native species in your area? You're a quite lucky fellow."
Here's How,,
#1 I am currently working on a horticultural degree at a local college, ( I can access to the local communities by using the "internship excuse" .
#2 I am about the only working Bonsai Artist in the USDA Zone 5a Illinois Area,,( Ottawa, IL. that is to be exact) (and note I did say native species).
#3 I have access to a lot of both private and public lands for gathering plant material (albeit under 8" in height, well give or take a few feet). ( Its a Federal Employment Perk.)
#4 I never take more than is or will be sustainable for the land that the tree(s) are located.
In other words, I have access to about all of the native species of plant material in "MY" (USDA Zone5A) area.
WHEW!!!!! Sorry so long winded,, just had to explain to some, that some do have STILL, an access to Yamadori/Native Plant material.
I can list some of the material on certain site that I gather from if needed.
HMMMM,,, Lets See,,,


Ready, Set, Go!!!
RedBud, Sugar Maple, Silver Maple, Red Maple, Hophornbeam, Oak ( Red and White Families), Cherry, Plum, Pear, Osage Orange, Willow (at least 3 varieties), Apple and Crab, Sweetgum, Pine, Juniper, R.Olive, Birch, Poplar, (Need I go any further?) (YES), Catalpa, Spruce, Hawthorn, Burning Bush, Hackberry, Elm, Mulberry,
(are you getting the picture?) Linden, Ash, Locust, B Cypress, ETC.
All I wanted to know is when is a general ,, (average),, (medium?middle of the road) time to start to ready the Warship for Battle?
In other words when is a good average time to start to air-layer for this area?
I've read M. Dirr and P. Chan books and was wondering about any local experiences in this arena?
thanks for all "those" comments.
Sincerely,
Kevin H Johnson
USDA zone 5a Illinois

My! 20 years ago I'd have been jealous. Now, I'm only envious. I don't have room for many more trees.

Anyway, start your air layers after the danger of a hard freeze is past. I don't think I'd bother layering the Osage orange because I'm not sure it would work too well, but I WOULD get as many of those as you can. They make marvellous medium-to-large bonsai. I wish I had access to some more of them.

Thanks Jim,
I'm trying to gather a collection of Bonsai that are native to Zone 5. I do have alot of options, I just was going to keep all the options that would make a believable tree. I did start a catalpa a few years ago, I had the leaves reduced to about 2-4", I realize that to gather material with larger leaves it will require to be a larger end Bonsai.
But thats the future, for now, a few more weeks then it should be time. I've already eyed a Redbud thats growing similar to a "witches broom" in a tree in my yard. I think that will be #1.
Well thanks a bunch, if ther are anymore who have experiences with airlayering chime in Please.
SIncerely,
KJ

I've noticed that the layers that are most succesful are those that are in full sun. The warming effect promotes rapid rooting. My occasional failures are usually due to not securing the cover well enough on the layer, thus allowing slugs and insects in. These repeatedly eat the tender new roots and then the layer dies.

Thanks Kev,
I have another Q. Black Plastic or Clear? The covering of the Moss? I have used Alum Foil to wrap the outer layer of plastic also. I kind of like to use the Saran Wrap/ Cling Wrap to surround the Moss.
Whats your opinions?
KJ

Oh one more,
I have collected a Prairie Crab, I am curious about layering/up onto the trunk. It seems like it has too much trunk
and not enough branch structure. Its too dark now so tomorrow I'll post a picture here for your comments.
Thanks again
Kj

I've used both black and clear but prefer clear, as I can easily see what is going on. I tried foil but it was constantly removed by birds like mapgpies and rooks.

Well, with today's lovely weather forecast of a possible 3-7" of snow, My air-layer projects are put on hold
for another weekend. Someone forgot to mention it to the Weatherman that it is Spring.
As for the Black or Clear, I think I'll do some experimenting with both and see which performs best. i guess the weather situation will give me some more time to plan my attack.
KJ