Rooting Cottonwood from Log Branches: Softwood Cuttings

Don’t Root from 4‑ft Logs—Use Fresh Cuttings

Branches sprouting on cut logs are adventitious, not well‑rooted. For reliable trees:

1. Take 6–8″ softwood cuttings (current season’s growth).
2. Strip all but top 2–3 leaves.
3. Dip in IBA rooting hormone (Rootone).
4. Stick 2″ deep in 1:1 damp sand/potting mix.
5. Keep warm, humid, moist. Roots in ~8 weeks.
6. Pot up, harden off, plant at 12″ tall.