Willow trees are beautiful, fast-growing trees that can be propagated from cuttings. Buying willow tree cuttings is an affordable way to establish graceful willow trees in your yard or garden. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about sourcing, selecting and buying the best willow cuttings for your landscaping needs
Overview of Willow Tree Cuttings
Willow tree cuttings are branches or stems cut from live willow trees that can be planted to grow new willow plants. Some key facts about willow cuttings:
- Take 6-12 inch cuttings from 1-3 year old willow growth
- Can be planted in spring once ground thaws
- Root quickly when inserted into moist soil
- Used to grow willows for baskets, living sculptures, erosion control, and more
- Provide an inexpensive way to start willow trees vs. buying container plants
- Allow propagating specific willow tree cultivars
Benefits of Starting Willows from Cuttings
Taking cuttings from live willow trees has many advantages
- Lower Cost: Willow cuttings are very affordable, costing just $1-5 per stick. Significantly cheaper than container willows.
- Fast Growth: Cuttings root rapidly and grow quicker than container plants.
- Genetic Identicals: Cuttings produce trees genetically identical to the parent plant.
- Specific Cultivars: Propagate rare or desired willow varieties from cuttings.
- Regional Adaptation: Local cuttings are well adapted to your climate and soil conditions.
- Useful Materials: Grow willow rods for basketry, sculpture making and more.
Where to Buy Willow Tree Cuttings
You can buy willow cuttings from several sources
- Online Stores: Specialized websites sell bundles of cuttings shipped nationwide. Convenient but can be pricey.
- Local Nurseries: Some independent nurseries grow and sell willow cuttings in spring. Limited selection but no shipping.
- Craft Fairs: Artists may sell cuttings along with their willow crafts like baskets.
- Private Land: Ask neighbors, farmers or landowners for permission to take cuttings.
- Public Land: Get permit to take cuttings from parks, nature preserves etc.
- Your Own Trees: Prune and propagate cuttings from existing willows on your property.
Types of Willow Cuttings For Sale
Main types of willow cuttings suitable for growing new trees:
- Large Cuttings: 10-20 inch branches for structural living willow projects.
- Rod Cuttings: 4-8 inch flexible branches good for weaving and basketry.
- Stakes or Poles: Extra long straight branches over 6 feet tall.
- Variety Bundles: Mixed cuttings from several willow species or cultivars.
Popular Species of Willow Cuttings
Some top species of willow cuttings available:
- Salix viminalis – Common Osier. Excellent flexible rods for weaving baskets.
- Salix purpurea – Purple willow. Attractive reddish-purple branches.
- Salix alba – White willow. Very fast growing with colorful yellow stems.
- Salix fragilis – Crack willow. Good for planting along streams or ponds.
- Salix integra – Japanese willow. Compact dwarf shrub willow.
Buying Considerations for Willow Cuttings
Keep these important factors in mind when purchasing cuttings:
- Time of Year – Buy in early spring after ground thaws.
- Cutting Size & Age – Select 1-3 year old wood, 6-24 inches long.
- Quality – Look for healthy, undamaged, flexible branches.
- Supplied Varieties – Choose species suited to your planting zone.
- Quantity Discounts – Bulk orders can greatly reduce cost per stick.
- Shipping Method – Ensure seller packages carefully to prevent drying.
- Planting Guidance – Reputable sellers provide instructions.
Where to Buy Willow Cuttings Online
Reputable online sellers offering bundles of cuttings shipped nationwide:
- Gardens North – Canadian company with 30+ willow species.
- Willow Variety – Wisconsin supplier of purple, scarlet and yellow willows.
- American Willow – New York farm selling mixed willow bundles.
- Living Willow Farm – Ohio willow grower selling colorful cuttings.
- Sunny Meadow Farms – New York nursery with DIY willow garden bundles.
Finding Local Willow Cuttings In-Person
You may be able to find willow cuttings through local sources like:
- Independent Nurseries – Some grow and sell their own cuttings.
- Nature Centers – Non-profits may sell sticks from land they manage.
- Farmers Markets – Producers might offer cuttings from plantings.
- Municipal Offices – Get permit for cuttings from city parks or land.
How Many Cuttings to Buy
Number of cuttings needed depends on your planting goals:
- Small Garden Border – 50-100 cuttings
- Privacy Screen – 100-300 cuttings
- Living Willow Fence – 300-500 cuttings
- 1/2 Acre Plantation – 500-1,000 cuttings
Buy 10-25% extra to account for cuttings that fail to root.
Estimated Prices for Willow Cuttings
Expect to pay $1-5 per stick. Final price is influenced by:
- Cutting Size – Longer cuttings are more expensive.
- Species – Unique varieties cost more than common types.
- Quantity – Bulk orders get better price per stick.
- Season – Early spring availability may increase cost.
Preparing to Plant Your Willow Cuttings
Before planting, prepare by:
- Selecting a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
- Removing competing grass and weeds.
- Loosening soil and mixing in compost.
- Installing irrigation if rainfall is insufficient.
- Planning layout and spacing.
How to Plant and Grow Willow Cuttings
Follow these steps to establish willows from dormant cuttings:
- Soak cuttings in water 24 hours before planting to hydrate.
- Dig holes or trenches 6-12 inches deep based on layout.
- Insert cuttings vertically with 2-4 buds underground. Pack soil firmly.
- Water thoroughly after planting and mulch to retain moisture.
- Keep soil consistently damp until growth emerges in 4-6 weeks.
- Coppice yearly to promote productive growth.
Willow cuttings provide an easy, low-cost way to grow graceful willow trees for landscaping. Shop from reputable sellers and prepare soil before inserting dormant sticks to root in early spring. With proper planting and care, cuttings quickly establish for baskets, living sculptures, erosion control and more. Get your landscape powered by beautiful, useful willows started this season.
My Willow Tree Cuttings Arrive From CZ Grain Store.
FAQ
Can you grow a willow tree from a cutting?
-
1. Select a cutting:Choose a healthy, strong branch from a willow tree, ideally one that has grown within the past year and shows no signs of disease or pests. A cutting should be 1-6 feet long, with a diameter of 1-2 inches.
-
2. Prepare the cutting:You can take cuttings at any time of year, but late winter or early spring may be the best time for some varieties. For hardwood cuttings, you can leave them in a cool, dark place (like a refrigerator) for a week or two before planting.
-
Yard and Gardenhttps://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.eduHow can I propagate a willow? – Yard and GardenDec 6, 2024 — Willows (Salix species) are easily propagated by hardwood cuttings. … Bundle the 12- to 18-inch-long cuttings together with string or twine. … In…
-
-
3. Plant the cutting:Stick the cutting into moist soil, ensuring at least 2/3 of its length is underground. Willow cuttings can be planted directly in the ground or in pots.
-
YouTube · Dingdong’s Gardenhttps://www.youtube.comHow to Grow Willow from Cuttings – YouTubeSep 26, 2022 — Willow cuttings are sticks pruned from a willow tree. they are easy to plant take root on their own and grow very quickly when planting directly in …
-
-
4. Maintain moisture:Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the initial stages of rooting.
-
5. Protect from competition:For the first year, it’s best to minimize weed competition around the cutting to help it establish.
-
6. Provide adequate sunlight:Willows need plenty of sunlight to thrive.
-
YouTube · Dingdong’s Gardenhttps://www.youtube.comHow to Grow Willow from Cuttings – YouTubeSep 26, 2022 — Willow cuttings are sticks pruned from a willow tree. they are easy to plant take root on their own and grow very quickly when planting directly in …
-
P. Allen Smithhttps://pallensmith.comHow to Propagate Willow Trees – P. Allen SmithFeb 10, 2015 — In fact, you can actually grow a new tree by simply taking a stem and sticking it in moist soil. … You can propagate willows by cutting branches a…
-
When to buy willow cuttings?
for delivery and planting from early December to late February. Willow roots easily when you plant freshly cut willow (long whips or short cuttings) in the ground in Winter.
How fast does willow grow from cuttings?
-
Species:Hybrid willows, often used for biomass, tend to grow faster than other varieties.
-
Cutting Size:Larger cuttings may initially have slower growth, while smaller cuttings can show more vigorous growth in their first year.
-
Environmental Conditions:Sunlight, moisture, and soil conditions all play a role in how quickly willow cuttings establish and grow.
-
Care and Maintenance:Regular watering, especially during the first year, and potentially fertilizer or manure can help accelerate growth.
Should you put willow branches in water?
If you put pussy willows in water, they’ll swell, split open and go to seed. So forget the water; they last nearly forever if you simply stick the branches in a dry pot or vase.
Are willow cuttings a good choice?
Willow cuttings are an excellent way to add beauty, privacy, and natural elements to your yard or garden Willows root easily from cut branches, allowing you to propagate the fast-growing trees at low cost. When searching for willow cuttings for sale, it helps to understand the different types available and where to source quality materials.
How much do Willow cuttings cost?
With proper planting and care, cuttings quickly root and provide material for living sculptures, garden features, basketry, and more. Get your landscape design powered by beautiful, useful willows started with the right cuttings this season. $20 per bundle of 10 cuttings. $25 shipping and handling charge for each order.
Where can I buy live willow cuttings?
Purchase live willow cuttings from Living Willow Farm. Grow your own willow for use in willow baskets, homestead garden projects, willow fences, and more. What is a willow cutting order? This ancient method yields increasing numbers of sticks that can be used for willow baskets, homestead garden projects, living willow fences, and more.
What is a willow cutting used for?
Small willow cuttings are best suited to growing rods for basketweaving, garden borders, and small sculptures. Large willow cuttings are ideal for creating your own living willow landscape features, such as living willow fence, willow domes and structures, living privacy screens, and living willow mazes.
Can you grow a living willow tree from cuttings?
Large willow cuttings are ideal for creating your own living willow landscape features, such as living willow fence, willow domes and structures, living privacy screens, and living willow mazes. Can you grow Willow from living willow branch cuttings?
How many types of willows are there?
We stock 13 varieties in 4 different lengths. Cuttings’, ‘Whips’, ‘Setts’ and ‘Slips’ are all common terms used for Unrooted Hardwood Cuttings. Planting hardwood cuttings is by far the best and easiest method of establishing willow plants.