Willow Propagation

March is here, and so is the first project of the new growing season: willow propagation! The seed shortages of 2020 and 2021 have got us thinking seriously about seed saving and propagation, so we are giving our dying willow tree new life by cutting off some whips and rooting them in water. When the ground thaws, we will plant them in the earth, so we will have willow trees long after our current tree falls down. Although we don't use willow trees in our products, they are a beautiful addition to our wetland landscape, and an important medicinal tree to have around. Our holistic approach to land management includes all of the life on the land, whether or not we harvest it.

This willow tree has been nearing the end of its life for a few years, dropping main branches while putting out new growth in an attempt to propagate itself.

Willow whips growing from the living trunk of the tree. The best whips to propagate from are green growth about the width of a pencil and 10 inches long.

Five whips from last year’s growth.

Whipe trimmed to 10 inches and placed in water to sprout roots. Willow contains naturally high amounts of rooting hormone, so it will readily root itself in water (or damp soil outside if the ground is thawed).