Mound layering (also called stooling) is the most important commercial form of layering.
Numerous fruit tree rootstocks, especially apple, are propagated by mound layering.
Plants that branch from the base easily are established in rows. These are cut back while dormant.
First year cherry plants in a stooling bed.
New shoots that arise the following season are mounded with sawdust at their bases as they grow.
Cherry stems with the base of the stems covered with sawdust.
Layering in hazel (Corylus) requires girdling to be successful.
Mound layers of hazel with drip irrigation.
Twist ties were used to girdle these stems prior to harvest.
Sawdust is brushed on the top of the plants as the stems emerge. Additional sawdust will be added as the stems get taller.
Rows of apple layers before and after brushing sawdust over the row.
A mature mound layer showing dormant buds.
Commercially, apple rootstocks are the most common plants propagated by mound layering.
These rootstocks will later be budded to provide grafted cultivars for commercial orchards.
Cherry rootstocks are also mound layered.
Rooted stems are cut by a blade and placed into cold storage to be used for grafting or budding the following spring.
After being cut, apple rootstocks bundled and stored under refrigeration.
