Bald Cypress Air Layer Size?

[LeftHandLuke]

My neighbor has a huge, healthy bald cypress in her backyard that's scheduled for removal in about a year. She told me to knock myself out if I wanted to grab an air layer. My goal is to get one or two on there ASAP with the plan to collect them within three to six months. How big can I go in terms of diameter? I'm confident I can get one to strike from a one-inch branch, maybe a two-incher, but how about something even thicker? I'm not averse to trying different sizes just to see what works, but can anyone share experiences with larger caliper sizes on where I might set my sites?

 

[Cajunrider]

I have seen 4” BC air layers

 

[LeftHandLuke]

I have seen 4” BC air layers

Love it! Then again, your zone permits that type of thing. How long did they take?

 

[19Mateo83]

Collect cones for seed and try cuttings as well. I have had success with cuttings up to 3/4” thick. Use strong rooting hormone, seal any top cuts and keep the cut end submerged in water. I did these in 100% 8822 and kept them in about 3 inches of water the whole time. They take about 3 months to put off roots.

I just started a new batch last night.

I use a humidity tent in for the first month, mainly because I put them inside under grow lights.

 

[Srt8madness]

How big is the tree? Could you just collect it?

 

[LeftHandLuke]

How big is the tree? Could you just collect it?

Maybe you could. It's ~28" at the base and ~30' tall.

 

[19Mateo83]

Maybe you could. It's ~28" at the base and ~30' tall.

That’s a big un! @Cajunrider ,he needs you to come visit Ohio!

 

[Cajunrider]

That’s a big un! @Cajunrider ,he needs you to come visit Ohio!

Definitely collectable but it will take you a while if you don’t have a tractor.

Call 811 before you dig

On the other hand you can wait and talk to the tree removal guys. May be you can cut a deal and they will do it for you.

If it were me I am just crazy enough to do it myself. But then I have plenty of experience with these things,

 

[dbonsaiw]

How big is the tree? Could you just collect it?

beat me to it

 

[LeftHandLuke]

Okay you overachievers! I ain't digging up a full-size tree. I'd have no place to put it, even if I could! So let's rule that out. What I'd like to know is... How common is it to get a 4 to 5 inch air layer in one season?

 

[LeftHandLuke]

This one's for you, @Cajunrider ! Come and get it. (Note the knees, which is the reason they're getting rid of it.)

 

[Cajunrider]

This one's for you, @Cajunrider ! Come and get it. (Note the knees, which is the reason they're getting rid of it.)
View attachment 485078

Not enough taper for me
There are knee shaver sold out there that enable cutting off the knees with very little effort if that us the only reason for getting rid of the tree.

 

[Beanwagon]

I've had 100% success rate with cuttings of any size. I just put them in water and they eventually root.

 

[LeftHandLuke]

Thanks for the input, @Beanwagon , and big time props to @19Mateo83 for the detailed background on BC cuttings. I wasn't necessarily interested in cuttings in this case, but I'm coming back around. Good to know BCs are amenable to that approach. Hope others can use the cuttings information for reference. Seems like tons of potential. I'm planning to go for a 4-5 inch air layer and cross my fingers. Thanks all.

 

[Srt8madness]

Would love to see a huge layer like that, go Fer it!

 

[Beanwagon]

Thanks for the input, @Beanwagon , and big time props to @19Mateo83 for the detailed background on BC cuttings. I wasn't necessarily interested in cuttings in this case, but I'm coming back around. Good to know BCs are amenable to that approach. Hope others can use the cuttings information for reference. Seems like tons of potential. I'm planning to go for a 4-5 inch air layer and cross my fingers. Thanks all.

Every air layer I've attempted has just healed over. Hence why I just do cutting now. Sit then in water year round. The following season they are rooted and ready to do what you would like with.