I recently bought a sapodilla, and there are a few low, lateral branches that I need to prune to shape the tree properly. I can easily bend them to the ground. Should I try to "air" layer them into the ground? Any hints on how to do this?

Go ahead and try, but don't be disappointed if it doesn't work. Sapodilla is one of those trees that is exceedingly difficult from cuttings or layers. It just isn't very good at making adventitious roots. It's also a challenge to graft, but that CAN be done with reasonable success, by an excellent grafter.

Usually, Sapodilla is propagated by seed. However as Dr. Manners said above, you might still try to layer it, it would be fun to try. In your post you say "air" layering a very low branch. I think you ment soil layering. If you want to try soil layering, here is how you do it. (1). Choose a branch near the ground, cut off the leaves from the part that is to be buried. Branches no larger than a quarter inch in diameter root best. (2). Remove a piece of the outer bark from the UNDERSIDE of the branch, this will encourage faster rooting. The cut should be about twice as long as the diameter of the branch. (3). Dust the wound with a root promoting substance such as Rootone. This wounding plus the chemical treatment, often encourages even hard to root plants to layer successfully. (4). Prepare the soil well where the branch is to be buried. The more thoroughly it is loosened initially, the better the new roots will grow. Mix in some sand, if the soil is heavy, and add dried manure or compost to help feed them. Bury the branch and place a brick on top of the soil to hold it in place. (5). To get the tip to grow erect, place it against a stake. When roots have formed a mass, cut the layered section from the plant. After rooting has started, apply liquid fertilizer to stimulate faster growth. Could take 2 - 6 months, if it indeed roots. I don't know if you know it, but the Sapodilla, was a tree of great importance because it was the source of chicle from which chewing gum is made. However, most gum is now made from synthetic substitutes for chicle. Wild Sapodilla trees in the Yucatan of Mexico and also in Central America can reach up to 125 feet tall. An amazing tree. - Millet

When I was in the Philippines, a close family of sapodilla, the Chico or Manilkara zapota, it took me two years before I was able to root it. It is warm and humid all year, there is no reason why it can't be faster. So it is really one of the difficult ones to propagate this way.

By the way, for those who may want to try grafting sapodilla, here are some tips.

1. Use a veneer graft. The scion should be a terminal shoot, which means it will be thin (one of the challenges). Prepare your scions by clipping all the leaves off a week or so before you plan to graft, leaving the petioles attached, and leaving the scions still on the source tree. Start checking after nearly a week, to see if the petioles have loosened. On the day they fall at the lightest touch, harvest your scions and graft.

2. Use a long scion -- 5-6 inches is not too long, if you can handle. So it's weird to work with -- way longer and yet way thinner than a "normal" veneer scion would be. A challenge for the skills of the grafter.

3. Seedling rootstocks should be at least 1 year old, and will be pencil thick (2-3 times thicker than the scions). Make a shallow veneer graft, working quickly, trying to beat the flow of latex, which will soon coat everything.

4. Wrap with clear plastic tape, covering all but the very tip of the terminal bud. Leave it in the open. Some people cover it, then re-wrap in 3 weeks, to leave it exposed then.

5. After 3-4 weeks, notch the rootstock just above the scion to encourage the scion to grow. Do not unwrap it.

6. When the scion has its first set of mature leaves, you can begin cutting back the rootstock top. Gradually remove it over a period of a month or more.

7. Only after the scion has a good firm new growth, and the rootstock top has been removed (8-12 weeks after grafting) should you remove the wrap.

8. Your knife, fingers, clipper, etc., will be covered with bubble gum (literally -- it's chicle). Clean them with alcohol or some other organic solvent before moving on to the next plant.

That's all very interesting. Now, what is "veneer" graft LOL.

Patty, a veneer graft (a.k.a. "side veneer" graft) is one of the standard methods of grafting. See any good propagation text for intricate details. Generally, it is when you remove a thin strip (a veneer) of bark from the side of the rootstock stem, another veneer of bark from the entire length of the side of the scion, and then fit the scion to the side of the stock, and wrap them up. There are many variations, but that's the gist of it.

Malcolm

I had a lot of droopy branches, so I am currently trying to soil layer about 10 branches. The branch tips are growing rather vigorously upright, so I am hopeful. I'll let them go until the spring growth spurt, then I'll start to check them out. Hopefully I'll have the problem of figuring out what to do with 10 sapodillas!