How to Root a Willow Tree

Co-authored by One Tree Planted and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: June 30, 2022 References

A willow tree is a lovely addition to a yard, especially when it’s placed near a pond. While you can find willow trees at any garden store, it’s simple and fun to root your own willow. Even if you’ve never gardened before, you can easily grow your own willow by cutting a branch from an established tree and helping it take root.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Taking Your Cutting

1
Take your cutting while the tree is in its dormant state. From about the middle of autumn through the end of winter, trees are in a dormant state. This means that they are not producing leaves or new growth. The best time to take a willow cutting is just after the leaves fall in autumn or right before the new buds start growing in the spring.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
Royal Horticultural Society
Leading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants
Go to source}
- To find the growing season for your particular area, check the Old Farmer’s Almanac website at https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-dates/states.
2
Select a branch that is 1–6 feet (0.30–1.83 m) long. Since willow branches are fairly sturdy, you can take a cutting that is several feet long. Keep in mind that about 2/3 of the length of the cutting will be underground. The cutting should be 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) in diameter at the point where you cut it.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- To ensure you get a healthy cutting, look for a shoot which has grown in the past year and doesn’t show any signs of disease or pests.^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Royal Horticultural Society
  Leading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants
  Go to source}
Advertisement
3
Sterilize your knife or pruning shears before cutting your shoot. To avoid contaminating your plant with any harmful plant bacteria or chemicals, you should sterilize your knife or pruning shears. Either wipe down the blade with rubbing alcohol or submerge your blade in a bucket of water mixed with a capful of bleach.^{[4]
X
Research source}
4
Make your cut at an angle and apply wound paste to the tree. Cutting the branch at an angle will allow water to seep from the cutting. It will also expose more of the interior of the shoot, which will encourage root growth.^{[5]
X
Research source} Smear wound paste or pruning salve on the tree to speed the healing process.
- You can find wound paste and pruning salve at your local garden center and online.
5
Remove leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. Although you’ll be taking your cutting during the dormant season, some leaves may have remained on the tree. If this is the case, remove any leaves from the bottom half of the willow branch.^{[6]
X
Research source}
6
Place the cutting in a bucket of water until you’re ready to plant it. From the time that you cut your plant you’ll want to encourage growth. Placing the cut side of the branch in a bucket of water immediately after cutting it will help the branch start the healing process that will eventually lead to new roots.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Change the water once a week until you see the roots develop on your cutting.
7
Plant the cutting in a pot if the outdoor conditions are not ideal. The willow cutting is going to remain dormant through the end of the winter, so normal conditions, including freezing temperatures, are likely fine for the plant. However, if you’re concerned that the plant will be disturbed or you’re not ready to plant the tree in its final home, you can place it in a pot with well-drained soil. Allow it to stay in this pot for a year to fully develop a new root system.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
Royal Horticultural Society
Leading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants
Go to source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Choosing a Planting Location

1
Plant your willow 40 feet (12 m) away from your house. Willow trees have root systems that can extend past the width of their branches and which are often as deep as the tree is tall. The roots will seek out water and can infiltrate a pipe system, causing expensive damage. Make sure you plant your willow tree at least 40 feet (12 m) away from your house and plumbing system.^{[9]
X
Research source}
2
Choose a spot with plenty of sun. Willow trees prefer full sun or partial shade. Plant the tree in an area where it will receive at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day.^{[10]
X
Research source}
3
Plant the tree near a water source. Willow trees love water. If you have a pond or other water source on your property, this would be the perfect place for a willow tree since the soil won't dry out. You can grow a willow tree in a drier climate, but you will have to water it during droughts to prevent the tree from losing its leaves.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source
EDIS
Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles
Go to source}
4
Check the soil conditions. The weeping willow can tolerate a variety of different soils, including rich earth, sandy soil, and clay. The pH balance for a willow tree should be between 6.0 and 8.0.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- You can test the pH balance of your soil with a kit purchased from a gardening center, or you can send it off to be professionally tested in a laboratory.^{[13]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Royal Horticultural Society
  Leading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants
  Go to source}
5
Make sure the soil drains well. Although willow trees love water, their shallow roots require well-drained soil in order to thrive. To test the drainage of your soil, dig a hole about 12 inches (30 cm) deep. Fill the hole with water and watch to see how long it takes the water to drain out. If it takes more than an hour, you'll need to take steps to improve your soil drainage. Try adding rocks, sand, mulch, or compost to the area to improve the drainage.^{[14]
X
Research source}
6
Fertilize the soil before you plant your tree. To help your willow cutting take root, spread fertilizer over the ground before you dig your hole. Choose a controlled-release fertilizer rich in nitrogen.<

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Planting Your Willow

1
Dig a hole 18 inches (46 cm) wide and as deep as the cutting is long. You’ll want to make sure the cutting has plenty of stability. Use the length of the cutting as a guideline for how deep the hole should be.^{[15]
X
Research source}
2
Place the cutting in the center of the hole and add soil to stabilize it. You’ll want 2/3 of the cutting to be buried beneath the ground, so loosely fill the bottom of the hole with soil before adding the branch. Use the soil from the hole you dug to fill the area around the cutting.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- Make sure you place the cutting right-side-up, with the buds pointing upwards.^{[17]
  X
  Research source}
3
Water your cutting and add additional soil as needed. The water might cause the soil to become more compact, so have a rich potting soil on hand in case you need to add some to the hole you dug.^{[18]
X
Research source}
4
Add a layer of mulch 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) thick around the cutting. The mulch should form a circle about 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter around the cutting. This will serve to help feed the plant and will hold the soil in place.^{[19]
X
Research source}
5
Monitor the soil and moisture level for the first year. The first year after you plant your cutting is the most important, since this is when the plant will be establishing new roots. Check the soil daily and water the willow tree if the earth seems dry.^{[20]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

Question

How do I take a cutting from a tree?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

First, cut a piece of softwood that is between 6 inches and 12 inches in length. Remove all flowers or fruit from the section and trim a half inch from all the leaves. Trim the length so the stem is just below the bottommost leaf.
Question

How fast do willows grow?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Willows have been known to reach their maximum height in as little as 15 years. They have also been known to grow 24 inches or more in height during 1 season.
Question

When should you plant a willow tree?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

It is best to plant a willow in the fall, allowing it the winter season to stabilize and strengthen its roots. Come spring, it can use its energy to grow in height.