How to Root a Cutting From a Tree

As your trees mature, you may want to take cuttings and root them. This is an inexpensive way to add trees to your landscape over time. Take the cuttings either in the spring or the late fall. Using a sharp knife or pruning shears, cut several small branches from the tree. Keep the ends moist by wrapping them in damp towels and placing them in a plastic bag. Put this into the refrigerator while you prepare your mini-greenhouse for rooting.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rooting hormone
• Peat and sand, perlite or vermiculite
• Bucket or bowl
• Disposable cup
• Plastic bag

1. Buy rooting hormone from a garden center. Rooting hormone, in powder or liquid form, provides hormones that quicken the rooting process.

2. Mix the medium used to support the cuttings and allow them to root.
   
   Mix together equal parts of peat and sand, perlite and peat, or vermiculite and peat in a large bowl or clean bucket. The medium for rooting needs to be "airy" to allow the roots to form and grow. The mixture should feel loose and grainy.

3. Wet the mixture with water. Pour water slowly over the mixture until it is completely moistened. Test the moisture level by squeezing a handful of the mixture. If a few drops drip from your hand, the mixture is wet enough.

4. Pour the propagating mixture into a 2-qt. sized plastic storage bag, filling it about 1/3 to 1/2 full. Remove the cuttings from the refrigerator and take them out of the bag, unwrapping them from the towel. Remove the leaves from the bottom third of the cuttings.

5. Put a small amount of rooting formula in a disposable bowl or cup. Dip the cut tips into the rooting hormone and remove immediately. Do not soak the cuttings in the rooting hormone; a little goes a long way. Shake off any excess from the cuttings and discard any remaining rooting hormone along with the cup.

6. Place the cut end of one of the cuttings into the propagating mix in the plastic bag. Gently push the cutting into the mixture until approximately 1/3 of the length of the cutting is submerged in the mix. Repeat until all the cuttings are placed in the propagating mixture. Leave as much room as possible between cuttings.

7. Spray the cuttings with water, misting them with a spray bottle. The leaves on the cuttings should be moist but not soaked.

8. Seal the top of the bag. If using a zippered bag, seal it. If using a fold-top bag, gather the top of the bag and tie with a string. You need to lock in the moisture. This creates the greenhouse effect inside the bag.

9. Place the bag on a windowsill or table; the bag should receive indirect sunlight throughout the day. Keep the bag sealed until the cuttings have rooted. A small nodule may appear at the base of the cuttings that have formed roots.

Tips & Warnings

• Most tree cuttings take several weeks to root. New growth along the stem can also indicate rooting. You can purchase propagating mixes at your garden center.

References

• Plant Propagation by Stem Cuttings
• How to root cuttings
• "The Essential Gardener"; Derek Fell; 1990

Resources

• Learn more about using root hormones