Red pine air-layer on old wood.

subject tree

second cut

vertical slits

powdered rooting hormone applied

finished air-layer

Today after the usual weeding and pruning, I decided to work on a project that I had wanted to do for awhile.  That is to air-layer a pine on old wood.  Most articles tell you that it is difficult or can not be done.  I started this with the same method that I use on regular Japanese black pine air-layers.  The red pine that I chose has a really nice branch structure, but the tree has a really long trunk.  I thought this would be the perfect candidate to try and air-layer.  If I get this wrong, I will be very sad because this tree took about 15 years from seed to get to this point.  I first started by making a cut around the tree where I wanted the roots to come out from.  Then I made a second cut about 3/4 of an inch below the first cut.  Then I removed the bark carefully.  I then placed 8 vertical slits around the tree.  This is to create a flare at the base.  I also dusted the area with rooting hormone.  I used a make up brush to dust the area.  I better put the make up brush back before my wife notices it missing (just kidding!).  I keep a make up brush in the jar of rooting hormone.  I use a make up brush because it picks up the powdered rooting hormone gently and released the powder gently.  Then I put a 6 inch cup around the base of the cut and filled the cup with green moss.  I have included pictures of the whole procedure.  I figure it will take a year to fully root.  I will revisit this article when the time comes.  I hope this works or I will have a dead tree in a few weeks.  Click on any of the photo’s to get a closer look.