I was talking with a lady about air-layering fruit trees. I told her not to feel intimidated, as I just got through air-layering my Pomegranate and Fig trees; and they have turned out so good and are putting on new leaves. I told her that I wouldn't mind walking her through the process with her Fig tree.

She said that she would like to try air-layering her apple tree that is declining; and wanted to know if you could do this with a tree that is older and declining. I, myself don't know and would think that you would want to start with a healthy tree. Do you think that is she can find a healthy branch tree and air-layer that limb; would she end up with a tree that will give her fruit and be healthy -or should she not waste her time on air-layering a tree that is not the healthiest?

Thank you!!!!! Pat

If tree doesn't have any disease, or bugs, it is OK.
If tree isn't grafted it will bear fruit.
If it is grafted, you can't count on any worthwhile fruit.

Whether a tree is grafted or not has nothing to do with fruit production or quality of fruit. Trees are grafted to produce stronger, disease resistant trees. The root stock depends upon your growing area and what the challenges will be.

If your friend's tree is declining, it wasn't grafted to the right root stock or it hasn't gotten proper care. Unlike peach trees, apple trees easily live to be at least 100 years old.

Your friend as 3 options: grafting cuttings onto new root stock, air-layering (I've never heard of it being done but why not?) and cuttings.

The cuttings should be 4 - 6 inch softwood (from this year's growth). Use a rooting hormone and plant them in half peat/ half perlite. Use bottom heat and a humidity dome.

BTW, fig trees and pomegranite trees both grow easily from cuttings.

Thank you very much for your feedback.