Tree Cuttings

I'd like to take a tree cutting and grow from scratch - any advise please.
Thanks

 

What kind of tree? Some like Hazel and Hawthorn are extremely difficult to grow from cuttings. Willows on the other hand are so easy, they will grow even if put in upside down.

 

Yep, native Hawthorn, are so easy to grow from collected seeds that it's not really worth taking cuttings unless you know of a tree that has profuse blossom, a pink tint or some other factor like a particularly nice scent.

If you really want to try hardwood cuttings now is the time to do it. Pencil thick stems about 150 - 200mm long taken after leaf fall are prepared by cutting the top off square just above a bud and at 45deg just below a bud (Helps rooting and you don't forget which way is down!) Plant in a sheltered trench or large pot, firm down well, keep moist and leave undisturbed for 12 months.

An alternative approach (which I've not personally tried) is to plant the cuttings upside down over winter (to help calous the exposed rooting bud) then re-plant right way up in the spring. This is supposed to be more productive for 'difficult' speciae.

My own favorite method for less easy shrubs and trees is layering which is virtually foolproof providing you don't disturb the layered stem for 12 months.

 

Sorry to sound like a novice - hawthorn tree and hawthorn hedge ... any difference? The only reason I ask is that I thought the easiest way to propagate my hawthorn hedge to fill in some gaps might be to take some cuttings and try to root them. Took some hardwood cuttings - total failure. Took some softwood spring growing cuttings and they're still going strong three weeks on (put them in a heated, humid environment).

PS it is late spring here ATM.

 

hi....if you look on ground, there may be lots of young seedlings from berries drop off earlier ...you can dig up and grow on where ever you want them, hedges have just been cut back from trees...meaning stunted...same thing...
hope it helps a bit...

Ladybird

 

Ellengray, whilst there are different varieties of Hawthorn, the common hedge/tree here is the same. Just the way they're grown. Mine are trees, but I could have grown them as a hedge by laying them after a few years. Hope that helps.