This image is from Bonsai Today issue 48. The details are a little on the small side, so we’ll break it into pieces for you.
Step 1. 4mm is almost exactly 5/32″ BTW: if you need a quality grafting knife…
Step 2. 3mm is a little less than 1/8″
Step 3.
Step 4. If you happen to need some wire…
This should get you started. Stay posted, we’ll finish later today or tomorrow.
I have tried this technique on an American beech without successful results. I applied rooting hormone and sphagnum moss over the cut and the cambium layer developed a callus rather than roots. Do you have any suggestions for success?
Joe,
I successfully air layered Japanese maple by this general technique. I did it a little bit differently. Instead of removing 4mm of bark, I removed ~3/4 inch, which made it harder to callous over. I used copper wire which I placed near the bottom of the bare wood. I used a black plastic nursery pot with bottom removed, but I like the screen idea. Lastly, I used the same potting mix as the tree was growing in. Hope this helps.
Sam
A rule of thumb is remove a ring of cambium one and a half times the diameter of the truck/branch you’re attempting to airlayer.
Love the blog BTW.