Taking hardwood cuttings is easy and often the only way to propagate many trees and shrubs. Follow our guide to turning a hardwood stem into a vigorous new plant.
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Hardwood cuttings
When to take cuttings
Take hardwood cuttings at the end of the growing season from autumn through to spring, when the stems are fully ripened. Select strong, healthy, straight woody shoots.
What to do
How to take cuttings
- Using sharp secateurs, cut just above a bud or pair of buds at the junction between the current season's growth and the previous year's growth.
- Remove any large leaves and side-shoots from the stem and trim the cuttings to about 20cm (8in) for large trees and shrubs, or to about 5-8cm (2-3in) for smaller specimens.
- Make an angled cut just above the top bud and a horizontal cut just below the bottom one.
- To encourage rooting, wound each cutting at the base by removing a thin layer of wood with a sharp knife and dip the base in a hormone rooting powder.
Inserting the cuttings
- Prepare a pot with free-draining cutting compost, and water in well.
- Insert the cuttings around the edge of the pot, leaving 5cm (2in) between each one.
- Gently push each cutting into the compost, so that just the top buds are visible.
- Firm the compost in well and water the cuttings.
- Alternatively, cuttings can be inserted into a cold frame or directly outside in a trench in a sheltered part of the garden.
- Cuttings of trees and shrubs that don't root very easily should be placed in a cold frame, while others such as willows can be placed outside.
- Dig a narrow trench in well-drained soil with one side vertical so that the cuttings can stand upright.
- The depth of the trench will depend on the size of the cuttings.
- As a general rule, it should be the same depth as the cutting, so that only the top buds are visible.
- Place the cuttings against the vertical side of the trench and backfill with soil. Gently firm the cuttings in and give them a good water.
Aftercare
- If the ground is lifted by frost during the winter, re-firm the soil around the cuttings.
- By the following autumn, cuttings should be well rooted and can be transplanted individually.
- If plants have been kept in a cold frame, harden them off in the spring before transplanting them outside.
Watch video
Five to try
Trees and shrubs suitable for hardwood propagation:
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