How to Plant the Stem of a Tree to Clone a Reproduction

Fruit trees are commonly propagated by cloning.

The first form of cloning ever successfully completed by man was in cloning plants. Trees have been successfully cloned as a means of propagation for decades. This is done by taking a cutting from one of the tree's branches, or stems, and placing it in soil to root. If the cutting takes root, a new tree is formed with genetic information identical to the parent plant. Reproducing trees by cutting is a relatively simple task that can be completed by even a beginning gardener.

Things You'll Need

• Small pot
• Perlite
• Soil
• Parent tree
• Rooting hormone
• Knife

Instructions

Taking a Cutting

1. Choose which tree you will take a cutting from. Parent plants need to be healthy, free of disease and should have demonstrated new growth in the last two growing seasons. Cuttings taken from young parent plants demonstrate a higher rate of success than those taken from older plants.

2. Sterilize the knife or nippers you will use to take the cutting. This will prevent the accidental spread of disease from the knife to the wound in the tree or the cutting.

3. Take your cutting. The cutting should be four to six inches long. The more woody the cutting, the longer it will take to root. Cuttings that include the branch tip are typically best.

Preparing the Cutting

1. Remove the leaves from the bottom two thirds of the cutting. The best cuttings do not contain any blooms; however, if you must take a cutting that contains flowers, remove them as well.

2. Cut remaining leaves on the lower stem in half, removing the upper half of the leaf. Leave intact the smaller leaves growing at the very tip of the stem. This will ensure that the maximum amount possible of the cutting's energy goes to building roots, but leaves enough foliage for the cutting to complete photosynthetic processes.

3. Dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone. Make sure to cover the wounds created by removing leaves with the hormone, as these are important root formation sites.

Establishing the Cutting

1. Place the bottom half of the cutting into the prepared pot of rooting medium. A mixture that is half peat half perlite or half peat half sand that is well drained and aerated should work well.

2. Pack the soil around the base of the cutting. Make sure the cutting stays vertical.

3. Cover the cutting and pot with a clear plastic to create a mini greenhouse. This will help maintain both heat and moisture.

4. Place the cutting in a place where it can receive bright, indirect light. It should remain in indirect light until it has become well rooted.

5. Transplant cuttings to a larger pot, or permanent location, when roots are between 12 and 18 inches long. Transplanting young tree cuttings to a propagation bed or larger pot before transplanting to an open and permanent location may increase the new tree's chance of survival.

References

• Cornell University: Making a new tree -reproduction and cloning
• Washington State University Extension: Propagating Deciduous Shrubs, Trees And Vines With Stem Cuttings
• North Carolina State University: Plant Propagation by Stem Cuttings- Instructions for the Home Gardener
• Colorado State University Cooperative Extension: Propagating Trees and Shrubs