Help me convert cutting into trees

[j-bird]

I cut 3 buckets of willow cuttings today. They vary is diameter quite a but simply because I wanted different sizes to see if diameter and length has any impact on my results. These are all black willow taken from my place.



I want to take the above and turn them from those to something more like what is shown below. My goal is to get something quickly to keep a neighbors prying eyes out. These are about 15 feet tall.

 

[j-bird]

Most of these willow will grow as a single stem - like you see below.


But where they really shine - and where I intend to get to is when I cut them back and they then generate multiple stems - like pictured below.


These multi-stemed one really thicken the screen. Below you can see two of these "cluster willows" and how much it really helps.

 

[wiscwhip]

I think I would have cut that row in your pics a few years ago already?

 

[j-bird]

So - now for my need for help!

I'm going to simply put these in and walk away so I know some are not going to make it. The willows I have are there naturally and I have NEVER worked with cuttings.

My questions are:
#1 - When do I put these in the ground?
#2 - Do I need to do anything to the cuttings (I already have square cuts on the "top" and angled cuts on the "bottom"?
#3 - how far into the ground to I put the cuttings?

 

[j-bird]

I think I would have cut that row in your pics a few years ago already?

Those in the pics are simply there - they serve no real purpose. They are only in a row because I have a vein of water that runs thru there. The only thing these do is seem to hold bucks attention as they seem to rub the crap out of them. They do obviously provide a great resource for cuttings.

 

[j-bird]

#1 asap
#2 nope
#3 as far as you can...on 4' cuttings I'd want at least 18" in the ground, 2' if you can do it.

Stu - get them in the ground now - even thought we are still getting night-time freezing temps? The ground isn't frozen now - so as long as I'm still OK - I will put them in tomorrow!

 

[j-bird]

Yep, I'd get them in the ground now. Zero reason to wait IMHO. I took a bunch of cuttings today with the help of leexrayshady...if I could get them in the ground now I would. Maybe by the middle of next week I'll be able to do so.

Thanks Stu - looks like I'll be busy tomorrow!

 

[wiscwhip]

It is not a necessity with willows, but will you be using rooting hormone? I sure doesn't hurt if you can get your hands on some.

 

[j-bird]

On my old place (south central WI) I'd take poplar cuttings in November once the leaves dropped and "plant" them before the ground froze up. Worked very well. I believe that is the recommended method by plant propagators.

I have lots of cottonwood which I think would work as well, BUT cottonwood doesn't branch as well as the willow I have with some help. Also cottonwood get HUGE in my area if allowed but the wood is worthless except for pallets.

 

[j-bird]

It is not a necessity with willows, but will you be using rooting hormone? I sure doesn't hurt if you can get your hands on some.

Nope - cut and plant.

 

[John-W-WI]

Sorry J-Bird... I never answered your private message....

Stu is right on.

You don't need to do anything to them. Just plant them as soon as the frost comes out of the ground.

You do run the risk of them starting to grow, and getting hit by a hard frost. But it's probably easier to plant them than try to store them. Hopefully they don't wake up until it gets a little warmer.

Deeper is better. 2" showing is plenty. They will sprout even when they don't have exposed buds.

Some of that wood looks a little mature. If you want to do it again next year, go cut a patch down to the ground. Next year you will have a bunch of 1 year wood to use for cuttings.

Good luck, keep us posted!

-John

 

[j-bird]

Sorry J-Bird... I never answered your private message....

Stu is right on.

You don't need to do anything to them. Just plant them as soon as the frost comes out of the ground.

You do run the risk of them starting to grow, and getting hit by a hard frost. But it's probably easier to plant them than try to store them. Hopefully they don't wake up until it gets a little warmer.

Deeper is better. 2" showing is plenty. They will sprout even when they don't have exposed buds.

Some of that wood looks a little mature. If you want to do it again next year, go cut a patch down to the ground. Next year you will have a bunch of 1 year wood to use for cuttings.

Good luck, keep us posted!

-John

Like I said I got lots to play with and I expect this to be a learning process. Some of it is mature and I'll use it just to see what happens - if anything. I have plenty to work with if I need to take a swing at it again next year. I got all those off of one tree some I have LOTS more if I need them.

NBD on the message - your a busy guy. I got lots of help here - I just know your the man when it comes to cuttings!

 

[j-bird]

j-bird - I've never tried cottonwood cuttings but I don't know why they wouldn't work. I hear you on them being too large for a screen....but you could coppice them when they're 4" diameter or so and they'd become multi-stemmed and thick. May have to do that every few years or so though.

I think I will have better luck with the willow and getting the "thickness" I am after. I think cottonwood is very similar to the poplars John uses - SIMILAR - not the same. One those I try to get rid of but live with multiple stems they don't explode like the willow seems to. I may try some just as an experiment. If this works - I have a bad feeling I'm going to get hooked an yet another habitat practice. My wife thought I was nuts for cutting to plant "sticks" as it is. Like I don't do enough "weird" stuff as it is!

 

[j-bird]

If I get enough of them to take I'll take some pics as they progress - IF they take.

How long into the spring can I get additional cuttings if I need them? Just curious.

 

[John-W-WI]

If I get enough of them to take I'll take some pics as they progress - IF they take.

How long into the spring can I get additional cuttings if I need them? Just curious.

They will take... Even old wood on willows will take. It's just that the younger wood is a little more aggressive.

The method I use for cuttings is to harvest them dormant, so they can be stored before planting. Willows will (with a slightly reduced success rate) root even after they have come to life.

If you plan on trying again next year, run a chain saw down that line you showed a picture of. 1' tall. Next year you will have awesome cuttings :)

-John

 

[John-W-WI]

Sometime I'd like to experiment with sections of weeping willow logs/trunks placed on bare ground that stays damp. I think a guy could get one heckuva screen in short order under the right conditions.

I agree.... I would like to experiment with horizontal cuttings on wet sites... I think there is some real benefits to be had there.

-John

 

[j-bird]

I love this place!

I have some "fence posts" of willow from my activities today - I may take them and lay them along the edge of the drainage ditch and see if they take - never even though of that.

Like I said - my wife is going to think I done lost it!

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Turkey Creek]

Maybe I overlooked where someone addressed the multistemmed trunks. I would guess if you go back next year and give them a haircut down close to ground level they would explode with a number of side shoots, just the same as when you cut the top out of most trees.. Certainly worth experimenting on a few.

 

[sandbur]

I agree.... I would like to experiment with horizontal cuttings on wet sites... I think there is some real benefits to be had there.

-John

I am going to try the same thing as soon as the frost is out.
Frost is just under the surface where I want to plant.

I left my cuttings on the north side of a spruce tree, rather than carrying them to the house for storage.

 

[j-bird]

Well I was a busy boy Sunday. I "planted" all those cuttings and in some cases doubled them buy cutting some of the longer ones in half. I am going to have to develop some sort of tool if I going to do more. Ethiier a way to create a pilot hole or a way to push them into the soil. That was a lot of bending. Anyway what I lacked in experience I made up for in volume! I had a wide range of cutting sizes and maturity so it will be interesting to see what makes it and what doesn't.







I figure if I get 1/2 to live I will be thrilled. I even took some cuttings off of a nearby cottonwood tree and mulberry tree just to see what happens.

I did over hear my girls this weekend (they where nice enough for me to leave the room) - "Mom, has dad lost his mind? Does here really think sticks are going to grow?" My wife (who knows I'm half crazy anyway) "Yep - I don't know either, but he says he saw it on his deer porn site so he is going to try it - what ever!"

When should I see some sort of "life" if there is any with these?

P.S. How do I find out if other trees and shrubs can grow from cuttings and if/what hormone is needed?