E. Hornbeam Layering Planning

[TimberLakers]

I have about a half dozen trees at the moment that are air-layer candidates for Spring '21.

First is a European Hornbeam, one of my favorite trees. I purchased this one in late Summer '20 - here's what it looked like:



I did some heavy pruning a few weeks after and some light structural wiring. What attracted me to this tree was the base, easier to see now with all the foliage gone:



Few things to call note:

• there's a thick root on the bottom right of the trunk that I will remove. I thought about cutting that during the pruning stage, but ultimately decided to wait
• tree is still in basic soil mix - the top 1" was cleared out and filled with aka/pum/lava mix... will likely stay in here for another year
• full tree is quite tall... ~3 feet from base to top

After the cutback, I did get some nice budding down lower on the trunk, and a couple right where I was hoping for:



The later would entail removing a couple of the left/right branches immediately above those buds. these buds are pointing up, and to the left - same direction as the second trunk.

Zooming out, here's where I plan to layer this tree... both layers are inline on the main trunk, but both have healthy branches between them, so I think (?) I'll be able to accomplish both simultaneously. The lower layer is about 1" above the two shoots shown above:



Here's a close up of the top of the tree, above the second/top layer:



I'm working on some drawings - first up is the bottom portion of the tree. Will share those later when finished.

 

[BobbyLane]

I wouldnt remove the thick root if it was mine, there'll be no base left just a curve. also since there doesnt seem to be much other roots in the vicinity it might be an important root for the tree. i guess you know more than us if youve seen whats under the soil.

 

[TimberLakers]

I wouldnt remove the thick root if it was mine, there'll be no base left just a curve. also since there doesnt seem to be much other roots in the vicinity it might be an important root for the tree. i guess you know more than us if youve seen whats under the soil.

Bobby - thanks for that.

I actually do not know what's under the hood here, outside the top inch or so - and may not for another year given I likely wouldn't repot before air-layering.

 

[leatherback]

The two layers you should work simultaneously. There are plenty of branches between them.

The big root.. Have you considered putting a strong wire tight around it near the trunk and burrying it deep?

If you are layering in the 2021 season, I would not repot this winter.

 

[TimberLakers]

The two layers you should work simultaneously. There are plenty of branches between them.

The big root.. Have you considered putting a strong wire tight around it near the trunk and burrying it deep?

If you are layering in the 2021 season, I would not repot this winter.

LB - I have not considered that. I assume this would force the tree to reduce importance of the root over time - making it safer to remove down the line?

I don't get a lot of structured feedback on my trees. Clearly I need to noodle on the root advice I'm getting already.

Feels like next best step here is to execute the air layers in Spring '21 - and revisit the root when I see the guts sometime in '22.

 

[leatherback]

reduce importance

Added to it.. It may tickle the tree to create side-roots making it more attractive to keep but shorter.

noodle

Thats the idea. Pose a challenge / tree. People respond. You do what you think is best.

 

[TimberLakers]

Thanks so much. Will do some reading on this and sit with it for awhile.

 

[TimberLakers]

Was relatively easy to brush back the top layer of soil - raised the soil level a bit more than I remember.

There's a few small roots about an inch down from the base already, but certainly could use more.

There's another pretty thick root in the area I'll get a better look at down the line - outlined with a dotted line:

 

[leatherback]

When you start working those roots, before you prune large roots away, look at the taper of the trunk. You can create inverse taper by removing a big root.

 

[TimberLakers]

When you start working those roots, before you prune large roots away, look at the taper of the trunk. You can create inverse taper by removing a big root.

That makes a lot of sense conceptually.

Going to hit reset on my plans for the bottom of the tree for the time being.

Appreciate the thoughts.

 

[TimberLakers]

From what I've gathered, seems the best time for air layers is after the tree is actively growing.

Hornbeam has some nice green buds at the moment, but probably 3-4 weeks out before any layering work is done.

 

[TimberLakers]

Finally got this one out of the can over the winter!



Few shots bare root:



The lowest root (on the left side of the above right thumbnail) was tricky to fit into a pot, but I elected not to remove.

Managed to fit into an existing pot - but with the highest root partially exposed, and covered by sphagnum. Took awhile for this to leaf out, but made it:



Couple nice potential leaders emerged up top, although I may end up chopping again in future growing seasons.

 

[GreatLakesBrad]

Love hornbeam leaves coming out. Good to see the progress. I might have gone with a bit more upright planting angle, but you obviously have a vision here. crafty way to keep the big root alive! Did the air layers take?

 

[TimberLakers]

Love hornbeam leaves coming out. Good to see the progress. I might have gone with a bit more upright planting angle, but you obviously have a vision here. crafty way to keep the big root alive! Did the air layers take?

Planting angle was influenced by keeping that big root in the picture, otherwise I probably would have ended up more upright.

Was extremely unsuccessful with the air-layer, even after re-exposing cambium + waiting a year. The only layer I've nailed so far was on a Zelkova, which turned out great.

I could have tried again, but was keeping me from doing other things I wanted to do, namely repotting and shortening.

 

[TimberLakers]

Updating picture for this Hornbeam.

I pruned back some branches from prior shots after a great year of growth.

I only repotted a few trees this Spring due to a likely move this year. Pot will get upgraded next spring and I'll make a choice on whether or not that left root sticks around.

This is one of my favorite trees to watch in Spring with the huge buds and serrated leaves. One thing I've learned with this tree over the years the importance of pest control, particularly on inner leaves.