Anatomy of an Air Layer

[sorce]

seems to be that a wire is pretty much unnecessary for flare

Unnecessary doesn't necessarily mean not helpful, or that it doesn't make it easier, or give you some benefits.

I have put wires on, but never got to the layer part, oops, dead!

I always look to have flare already built in,
Starting a layer where a sacrifice branch has already been flaring it. Doing the girdle around that prune spot.

Sorce