Poplar and Willow Cuttings Growing Instructions

Poplar and Willow Cuttings Growing Instructions

Poplar trees and Willow trees are very fast growing...will grow 6-15 feet tall in one year. A great tree for windbreaks, screens, to grow your own firewood, or for material for basket weaving or rustic furniture. 10 easy to root cuttings are shipped Priority Mail. Once you establish your trees, you can take your own cuttings each year and grow as many trees as you need.   Will tolerate waterlogged and poor soil where other trees struggle.

Extra Large cuttings are 8 - 10 inches long, and can be planted this length in the field or cut in half above a bud if planting in containers to yield double the number of trees.

Early Spring

Cuttings come dormant, either put cuttings into a 1/4 full bucket of water for long term storage or place in your refrigerator in original unopened package for up to a week if you cannot plant right away.

You do not need a rooting hormone. Can be immediately planted by simply pushing cutting into moist soil so that all but one bud is covered. Water to keep cutting very moist until it is rooted (usually 3-4 weeks) ... then water weekly. It is nearly impossible to water too much.

Late Spring/Summer

Cuttings should be pre rooted in a bucket with 2-3 inches of water. Will take 3-5 weeks for roots to develop. When you plant, mix soil with water and pour the liquid soil into the hole or container and water again to settle the soil around the young roots. This will not break off the tender roots ... then water daily. If leaves wilt, water, or in hot weather, provide partial shade until plant is rooted. A tray of water is beneficial under newly potted trees in containers. After the first frost plant the trees to their permanent location.

Winter

Can be rooted inside, where temperatures are between 65 and 75 degrees, in a cup of water placed in a brightly lit window.

If you have deer problems, spray new leaves with a deer repellant, we recommend Plantskydd®.

Not all cuttings will root under difficult conditions.

Pruning tips for different uses

For trees: Do not prune.

For dense screens: Prune to develop more branches to provide a better screen of unwanted views.

For basket weaving and rustic furniture: Prune to 2 inches every year for basket weaving and once every 2 years for rustic furniture.