Yes. Willows are among the easiest trees to grow from a branch. A straight piece of dormant stem pushed into moist soil can root and leaf out the same spring. NC State Extension lists stem cuttings as the recommended way to propagate weeping willow, and restoration crews plant willow branches, called live stakes, along streambanks.
The short answer: cut pencil- to thumb-thick pieces, about 18 to 24 inches long, from healthy upright growth while the willow is dormant, between leaf drop and bud break. Make an angled cut at the bottom and a flat cut at the top, strip side twigs, keep the cuttings wet and plant within a day if you can. Push or tap at least half to three-quarters of each cutting into moist soil, buds pointing up, leaving a few inches above ground. Most willows need no rooting hormone.
Why willow branches root so easily
King County, Washington, explains that willows have incipient root buds ready to go and root almost immediately, which is why most willows do not need rooting hormone. This ability is what makes willows so useful for stabilizing streambanks. It also means a willow branch stuck in damp ground can become a tree you did not plan for, so choose the spot carefully.
Step 1: Cut at the right time
All the sources agree that the dormant season is best.
- King County says the best time to plant live stakes is the dormant season, roughly November through February in western Washington, with October and March almost as good.
- NC State’s live stake guide gives November to February as the best time to cut and plant.
- The AloTerra guide hosted by Colorado State University says to harvest between fall leaf drop and spring bud break.
Cuttings can be taken in the growing season and planted in a site that stays moist, but King County notes that survival rates are lower.
Step 2: Choose and prepare the cuttings
| Detail | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Source branch | Long, straight, upright, healthy growth |
| Length | 18 to 24 inches (King County, UW); about 2 feet (NC State) |
| Thickness | At least 3/8 inch (King County, UW); thumb-width (NC State); 1/2 to 1 1/4 inches for most projects (AloTerra) |
| Bottom cut | Angled, just below a bud |
| Top cut | Flat, just above a bud |
| Side twigs and leaves | Remove right away |
The angled bottom cut marks which end goes into the ground and makes it easier to push in. King County stresses that cuttings must be planted with the correct end down, or they will die. It suggests dipping the top 2 to 3 inches in latex paint to mark the top and seal the cut.
Do not take too much from one tree. NC State’s guide recommends removing no more than 5 percent of the parent plant.
Step 3: Keep the cuttings wet
Drying out is the main cause of failure. King County recommends planting within 24 hours, keeping cuttings in buckets of water or wet burlap and out of the sun in the meantime. NC State’s guide says never to leave stored stakes in the sun or let them dry out.
The AloTerra guide goes a step further for restoration plantings: soaking the lower half to 80 percent of each cutting in water for 10 to 21 days before planting increases rooting. It cites research showing significantly better survival of pre-soaked willows.
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Step 4: Plant the cutting
- Pick a moist, sunny spot. King County says live stakes should go where the soil stays moist through the growing season. NC State Extension says weeping willow grows best in full sun or partial shade and very moist soil. King County adds that a willow stake that gets too much shade can drop its leaves and die.
- Make a pilot hole in firm soil. Use a length of rebar or a planting bar so you do not split the cutting. In soft soil you may be able to push it straight in.
- Insert it the right way up, angled end down and buds pointing up.
- Bury most of it. The UW guide says at least half the length should be in the soil, and NC State’s guide pushes stakes in to three-quarters of their length. King County recommends at least a foot deep and leaving 3 to 6 inches above ground.
- Firm the soil around the cutting to remove air pockets. Tap it in with a rubber mallet, not a steel hammer.
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Step 5: Care for it the first year
- Water. Keep the soil moist through the first summer, especially if the site dries out.
- Mulch. The Morton Arboretum says golden weeping willow benefits from mulch to moderate soil temperature and hold moisture, and needs water in dry periods.
- Expect some losses. Plant a few extra cuttings. King County notes that any that die can be replaced in the next dormant season.
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Kindly NOTE: This soil tester can not be applied to test pH value of any other liquid. If the soil is too dry the indicator will not move, and water it before testing.
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Before you plant: think about the location
Willows grow fast and big. NC State Extension says weeping willow quickly reaches 30 to 40 feet tall and wide, has weak wood that breaks under snow and ice, and has invasive roots that can damage water or sewer pipes. The Morton Arboretum lists golden weeping willow’s roots as prone to invading sewer pipes.
Plant well away from the house, septic system, water lines and sewer lines. See how far a willow should be from a house and when to plant willow trees before you choose a spot. For general willow care, see how to grow willow trees.
Key takeaways
- Willow branches root readily; most willows need no rooting hormone.
- Take cuttings while the tree is dormant, about 18 to 24 inches long and at least pencil-thick.
- Angle-cut the bottom, flat-cut the top, strip side shoots and keep cuttings wet.
- Bury at least half the cutting in moist soil, buds up, with a few inches showing.
- Plant far from pipes and buildings, because willows grow big and their roots seek water.
Sources
- Live Stakes for Restoration Plantings, King County, Washington
- Live Stake Installation Guide, NC State University Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Collecting, Storing, Installing and Caring for Live Stakes, University of Washington, Restoration Plant Propagation
- Guidelines for Harvesting and Installing Willow and Cottonwood Cuttings, AloTerra Restoration Services (hosted by Colorado State University)
- Salix babylonica (Weeping Willow), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Golden Weeping Willow, The Morton Arboretum
Top photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons