The Beautiful Tree You Can Propagate From Cuttings In The Winter

Garden chores tend to disappear and work outdoors slows down as plants — and gardeners — go dormant for the winter. However, the enjoyment you get out of your backyard doesn't have to be over. If you're looking for a cold season project to keep your thumb green until spring, winter tree propagation is a fun and rewarding option. If you're on a budget, scoring a free tree for your yard is easier than you think. Instead of heading to your local plant nursery in spring, grow one yourself over the winter. Plus, you can stay warm indoors (for the most part) while doing it.

Growing a big ol' tree from a cutting might seem like an intimidating task, especially for new gardeners. Indeed, some trees can be challenging. However, if you start with a willow tree (Salix spp.), you can almost guarantee success. Cuttings from this genus are simple to care for and grow remarkably quickly — 30 to 60 feet in just a few years for some species. Willow trees are moisture-loving plants that thrive when planted near bodies of water. They not only make your yard a paradise for birds and butterflies, but they also help to prevent soil erosion. You can even use the supple branches for crafts. Early winter dormancy is a great time to propagate hardwood willow cuttings so they're ready to plant in the spring. Propagate willow cuttings in soil or in water, or store them in the refrigerator to root later — with the right preparation, of course.

While temperatures are still above freezing, take cuttings that are 12 to 18 inches long from willow branches about ½ inch in diameter. Be sure to make your cuts at a 45-degree angle, which will help the branches root later on. At this point, you can either start the cuttings right away or refrigerate them until spring. If you want to refrigerate the cuttings, bundle them together with a string and place them in a plastic bag with slightly dampened peat moss. You can keep them in the refrigerator right up until early spring.

To propagate willow cuttings in soil over winter, drive each stick about 2 to 4 inches deep into pots filled with quality potting soil. Water the soil thoroughly. Just like adult willow trees, willow cuttings crave moisture. Covering each pot with a plastic bag creates the perfect damp environment for optimal root growth. Place the potted cuttings in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight and remove the bag occasionally to air out the soil and prevent mold.  In 4 to 6 weeks, you can expect new root growth. 

Don't have any soil, or don't want to buy it? Willow trees number among the pretty plants that only need a little bit of water to propagate. This method is particularly interesting in that it allows you to watch the roots grow. Make sure you start with clean, sterile glass jars or plastic bottles, and change the water regularly to prevent rotting. When your cuttings have developed a strong root system, you can transplant them either outdoors, if the weather has warmed enough for the soil to be workable, or indoors in containers. The downside is that water-propagated willows may not be as hardy as their soil-propagated counterparts.