[londongardener]

Has anyone ever successfully managed to layer an apple tree to remove a cutting with roots?

If so how?

[Trillium]

I've never heard of layering apple trees for reproduction before, but it's not to say it can't be done if you're careful and know what you're doing. Sometimes a tree can appear to have many side shoots but if you check you'll find they all come off one rootstock rather than independent roots clustered around the main one.

That said, you'd risk losing any dwarfing capabilities of the tree since scions are grafted onto dwarf rootstock to control growth. And that can be important as some full sized (standard) apple trees are sizeable and you'd need a very large yard to accommodate them.

Usually it's shrubs that layer well due to their natural tendency to root where the branch touches the ground (currants, raspberries, dogwood, etc). I don't even peg them down and they reproduce on me like crazy to the point where I have to rip out a lot just to get into the patch.

If you need lots of apple trees, watch for free offers and season end sales.