As we have planted thousands of trees and shrubs over the past few seasons at ABC acres, we are always balancing the costs with the projected returns of what we are planting throughout the property. Planting the proper species of productive woody perennials have some of the best return on investment of any assets you apply your time and money to, especially when holistically factoring in the environmental assets they provide both locally and globally. While we are strong promoters for people planting trees and shrubs that produce fruit, nuts, fuelwood, timber, and more, we also understand that these projects can be a considerable amount of money on the front end to install and establish.

Because of this, we are always keeping our ears, eyes, and minds open for ways to access the abundant ways of Mother Nature, in the hopes of tapping into the knowledge of natural capital we can use to reduce the amount of money going into these large-scale planting projects. With that said, you can imagine our excitement when learning about one of the many uses of willows. While willows have several uses that make them a valuable asset in the landscape, the property of their ability to root so easily is the benefit being highlighted for our purposes. The willow contains within it a substance called indolebutyric acid, which empowers the willow with the ability to have a new growth branch cut, stuck into moist soil a few inches, and then grow into an entirely new willow tree!

Some wise people in generations past figured out that by taking these new growth branches from a willow, cutting the branches up into small 1 inch pieces, and then soaking them in water caused the special substance to leach out into the water. Then, these thrifty folks would take branch cuttings from other species of trees and shrubs they desired to grow for their needs and put them in a few inches of the, “willow rooting water,” which caused the plants that typically would not be as vigorous of root growers to soak up the indolebutyric acid of the willow, allowing them to receive the same kind of root-growth properties.

A quick “recipe” for this willow rooting hormone water is as follows:

  1. Collect new growth willow branches(green or yellow in color), strip off leaves, and cut into roughly 1 inch pieces
  2. Put branch cuttings in bucket or jar, and cover with water. Using boiling water will speed process to 24 hours, but using cold water to soak will work in 4-7 days
  3. Place in air-tight container in refrigerator(will keep for about 2 months in the fridge)
  4. Place branch cuttings of of species into about 3-4 inches of willow water to soak for about a day, then plant in pots to establish, or out in the field if good soil moisture/irrigation is available

With willow trees and bushes along our irrigation ditch, and scattered throughout our seasonal wetlands, we envision leveraging the amazing root-growth stimulator found in the willow into gallons of willow rooting hormone water. With this, we will be able to take cuttings from our plants already in the soil of ABC acres, and multiply them by the hundreds, or even thousands if so desired. Now that sounds like a good return on investment, made possible by aligning ourselves with the resiliency, strength, and abundance found in nature, courtesy of the willow. We encourage you to do the same!

Blessings,

Grant