Propagating willow

[corylus]

Has anyone any experience of propagating willow sp. from setts. I have done thousands by cutting em' and just sticking them in along river banks (I am the riparian owner btw before anyone ticks me off for guerilla planting) but sometimes lose a few in sandy areas well above the water line, especially if we have a dry spring (like this year).

 

So i've planted a test batch of c50 (from c5-20mm diameter) in 6" lengths of 1 1/2" waste pipe, and am keeping them moist. Hopefully they will root and when transplanted next winter will have a better chance of survival than ones done by the other method. BUT I want to do a lot more but dont want to waste my time so anyone have any ideas? I am presuming from what i've read from various sources that summer cuttings are ok to do if properly looked after????

[bythamboy]

I did a tidy up of a Salix babylonica last Nov ,when I emptied trailer I saved 15 lengths 150-200 mmm x 10-20 mm put them out of frost harm , forgort about them for two months rediscovered put them in water in warm house and within two weeks small roots were seen , planted out in a big tub in cold frame , now have 15 -18 inches new growth , 12 out of 15 grew despite my efforts.

[corylus]

Got c45 in this box. Mainly s. fragilis with a few s. pentandra. Only the odd failure. Dont know what root structures like....yet.

Looking good so far:001_smile:

[richyrich]

you can take 1-2 year old shoots/whips in march or april (or in summer ) and put them in a water butt or dustbin with about 12inch minimum water in. keep the water topped up as it evaporates,etc.

these cuttings will get a really good root system.

sallows do not root as well as osiers and tree willows.

disadvantage is you have to wait til autumn/winter to plant them.

[corylus]

you can take 1-2 year old shoots/whips in march or april (or in summer ) and put them in a water butt or dustbin with about 12inch minimum water in. keep the water topped up as it evaporates,etc.

these cuttings will get a really good root system.

sallows do not root as well as osiers and tree willows.

disadvantage is you have to wait til autumn/winter to plant them.

 

Ta. Wish i'd tried that too. Will next year.