Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

[Cadillactaste]

As to air layering...no clue. Never done it before...glad your tree is chugging along.

 

[Cattwooduk]

Looks like the top is forming callus or possibly nodes which can root out from. I would scrape away some of the gap again back to wood and you could cut a tiny bit further up just far enough to remove the callus I guess and start again.

I have a JM which I didn't pay enough attention to which has also beem too wet and I can't see any roots through the plastic. I'm going to remove the moss and start again once the first load of leaves have hardened off as it's just popping back into leaf now.

 

[ConorDash]

Alright so we are again.
Not entirely sure how the tree is doing so well without that section of cambium, unless I’m mistaken..


So, i would still like to get this air layered.. I think the branch is amazing looking. The tree won’t miss this 1 branch as it’s full of leaves and growth and plenty more large trunks.

I think if I air layered now, in spring with all this vigorous growth moving, it’s stand better chances of succeeding. The branch is small in width, I could imagine having a small pot full of roots within 3 months.
@sorce @Cadillactaste @AlainK
What do you think?

 

[Cadillactaste]

I've never done an air layer yet...sorry. No direction or words of wisdom here.

 

[Cattwooduk]

Is the section you are holding the one you've already been trying to air layer? I'd think you could cut just above the top bit you cut last time and start it again, doesn't look like there is much swelling there yet.
It will absorb the moisture it needs from the bottom bit of the top cut regardless which is why it is still going strong. I've had two layers on maples since last year that I unwrapped to check and re-do this week, one had not done anything and I decided to just cut off the branch instead of trying it again, the other had lots of swelling and nodes which looked rooty so in just rewrapped it.

So long as the leaves have hardened off I think now is a decent time to try and layer it, I don't know how well hazels air layer at all though but someone else might have more experience.

 

[AlainK]

I've never air-layered Corylus avellana but I think you could:

1/ refresh the cut (dark and light green)

2/ scrape more of the bare part of the trunk.

 

[ConorDash]

I've never air-layered Corylus avellana but I think you could:

1/ refresh the cut (dark and light green)

2/ scrape more of the bare part of the trunk.

View attachment 191200

Scrape more of the bare part? What would that do? That’d just be scraping wood.
So basically just cut more above original cut, perhaps less than half an inch and start again..
I’m gonna use a pot this time, small one, with inorganic litter + sphag moss.

@Cattwooduk I don’t think they’ve hardened off yet, spring growth probably 3 weeks old.
I’ve not heard of waiting for growth to harden before air layer, whys that?

 

[AlainK]

Scrape more of the bare part? What would that do?

The way the sap circulates in the living tissues of a tree varies from one species to another, it's not only about removing the cambium.

As I said before, I've never air-layered a Corylus, but maybe it's the kind of tree that can still feed the upper part of the trunk when its bark has been chewed bare by a rabbit, or a hare, or any furry animal...

So removing more of the live part below could maybe help it form new roots? Just a hypothesis.

 

[ConorDash]

The way the sap circulates in the living tissues of a tree varies from one species to another, it's not only about removing the cambium.

As I said before, I've never air-layered a Corylus, but maybe it's the kind of tree that can still feed the upper part of the trunk when its bark has been chewed bare by a rabbit, or a hare, or any furry animal...

So removing more of the live part below could maybe help it form new roots? Just a hypothesis.

Fair enough, cheers.
That would make sense from an evolutionary standpoint, given that is produces hazelnuts which would be a treat for most woodland creatures, like squirrels.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

When I successfully air layered JBP it didn't form roots until second year. Just rewrap and let it go. I'd freshen up the moss and fresh dose of hormones once a year. Give it up to 3 years. Leave it wrapped up all winter. Don't bother with extra cold protection for the layer, what you normally do for the tree will be enough. You might be surprised and have roots form during the winter months when it's just above freezing. So give it time.

 

[ConorDash]

When I successfully air layered JBP it didn't form roots until second year. Just rewrap and let it go. I'd freshen up the moss and fresh dose of hormones once a year. Give it up to 3 years. Leave it wrapped up all winter. Don't bother with extra cold protection for the layer, what you normally do for the tree will be enough. You might be surprised and have roots form during the winter months when it's just above freezing. So give it time.

Fair enough .

I’ll refresh the cut, going to put a small pot around the instead of cling film wrap this time. So fiddly to get it on and no visibility of the roots but I think it’ll be better, easier to manage too.
I’m gonna go inorganic cat litter + moss this time too.
I’ll redo it next chance I get .

 

[ConorDash]

Alright, take two, before:


Freshen the cut:


Hormone:



A horizontal pot, making it up as a go but worked well:



Finished:



Slight concern about the angle, as in the water will fall and not be near enough the area where roots need to start... but, I think its neat work. As closed as possible for humidity, but can still water. Holes at bottom of the pot and 1 poked in the cling film at the front bottom for drainage.
No visibility of roots forming but Ill work it out in a month or 2.
Wish it luck.

 

[ConorDash]

Also the reason I want this branch is this thing here:



Along with the long winding stem of the branch, with minimal leaves along the way. I just think it simply looks awesome and I really hope this succeeds so I can show you all exactly what I mean

 

[AlainK]

Good luck with your air-layer.

I may try one on a contorted hazelnut I have in a big pot (about 3 feet high), but I'm already hardly catching up with my vegetable garden so I don't have much time at the moment. I'll share my experiment if I do. I would probably scrap off or remove more of the exposed part of the trunk, otherwise what you've done is OK.

 

[ConorDash]

Good luck with your air-layer.

I may try one on a contorted hazelnut I have in a big pot (about 3 feet high), but I'm already hardly catching up with my vegetable garden so I don't have much time at the moment. I'll share my experiment if I do. I would probably scrap off or remove more of the exposed part of the trunk, otherwise what you've done is OK.

Cheers. Do you think the fact the pot is tilted and the air layer sight is quite far to the side of the pot, will impact?
Pretty sure the site is covered completely so should be ok right?

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Should work

 

[AlainK]

It will work!

...or not, but that won't be because of the position of the pot.

 

[chefmateo]

I saw this Harry's Walking Stick while shopping at Lowe's..it was too neat to pass up for $50. I Googled the species and stumbled on this thread..a year too late I might add. I studied it for a min & decided to air layer a main branch once I got it home. The twisty center top part seemed to me to have formed a unique & natural apex. These are really fascinating trees. Who knew a virus in the tree causes the branches to kink & curl like they do?

 

[ConorDash]

Oh yeh that’s a good one. Very cool.
I bought 2 more smaller ones. One I repotted, the other I cut back. See how they both respond.

 

[ConorDash]

The main one that this thread is about, most of it died, much to my dismay.. I’ve no idea why, to make matters worse!!

I’ve cut off all the dead bits but it’s main trunk and a few smaller branches have survived, so I’ll just let it try and gain health this year, next year I’ll cut back properly and repot.