Can you grow a tree from a branch? The short answer is that you can, and it’s much quicker than starting from a seed. In this post, Oregon Arborist, LLC, Lafayette’s certified arborist services, explains more about this form of propagation and caring for your tree.
What Trees Will Work?
We recommend doing a bit of research first to see if the species you’re considering will take to the process. However, deciduous trees are a good place to start. Here are some additional tips:
- Softwood Trees: Softwoods, like cedar, pine, hemlock, redwood, fir, spruce, and cypress, do well if you take a clipping during spring or early in summer.
- Hardwood Trees: Hardwoods like maple, oak, aspen, sycamore, cherry, and aspen do well if you take a sprig in late autumn when the leaves start to drop.
Grow Your New Tree
Can you grow a tree from a branch if you don’t have a green thumb? With these tips, anyone can.
You Need
Collect the supplies upfront so the cutting doesn’t expose the tree to air more than necessary. Gather:
- A glass jar
- Water or well-draining soil
- Pruning shears
- Rooting hormone
- Indirect sunlight
- Fertilization medium
You can plant your cutting in a container or directly in the ground. A clear jar of water’s better so you can see the roots growing.
Get a Cutting
Make sure your container is ready, and then cut a small branch with clean shears. The twig should be ten inches long and healthy with needles or leaves. Cut it just above the bud at a slanted angle and then put it in water immediately. Take more than one twig because they won’t all take.
Clean Up
Take off any needles or leaves up to about two inches away from the cut. The water should not go above this line. If you’re growing a hardwood tree, you can improve your chances by scoring the branch for about an inch past the cut.
Use the Rooting Hormone
Coat the end of the branch in rooting hormone by gently rolling it on a plate. Then place it back in the water. Repeat with any other cuttings.
Place the Jar in a Sunny Spot
Choose a spot that gets about six hours of sunshine daily. Cover the cutting and container with a Ziploc bag. This stops the twig from drying out, improving your chances of success.
You must top up the water periodically and wait about three months until the new roots grow.
Plant the Cutting
When you have a nice root system, transplant the branch into a pot with well-draining soil. Keep it in a sunny, sheltered spot and make sure the soil stays damp for the next year or so, and then you can plant the sapling.
Contact Us for Help
Can you grow a tree from a branch? Yes, if you have the right tree-trimming equipment and patience. Need help with something else? Call Oregon Arborist, LLC at (503) 899-4166 today!