Question

Cedar 2  
Cedar 1   QUESTION: Hello,
Thank you for your time and expertise!  I have this tree in my yard and love it.  I think it may be a Blue Atlas Cedar, but do not know.  I live in San Diego, CA.  The tree is about 60 feet tall and most of the branches go straight out except the lower ones that have added thin branches that hang and sway in the breeze.  I would like to propagate some cuttings.  Cones have fallen a few years ago, but only once in the 10 years I have lived year.  What kind of tree is it and can I propagate from cuttings or do I have to wait for cones again?
Thank you very much!

ANSWER: Hi Adam,
Thanx for your question.  I am by no means, a tree expert.  Your pix resemble some of the pix of blue atlas cedar on Google Images.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sugexp=ciatsh&pq=larch&cp=7&gs_id=l&xhr=t&q=b

Growing this type of tree from cuttings is difficult for the novice.  In early spring, take green wood cuttings, 6 inches long and remove the needles from the lower 2 inches of the cutting.  Dip the cutting in a strong rooting hormone.  Plant the cuttings in a tray of soil less mix and monitor for 6-8 weeks.  New root growth should have begun by then.  Do not tug on the cuttings, use a pencil and probe gently around the cutting to locate roots.  It will take several months to get sufficient root growth to plant up the cuttings in separate pots.  Once the cuttings are established, they can be transplanted in the desired spot outdoors after the last frost.  I hope this helps.
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Tom!  You mentioned a "Strong rooting hormone"  Is there a difference?  Something special?  I have only seen the rooting hormone in the nurseries.  Will putting the cuttings in a greenhouse or anything help the odds?
Thank you again Tom
Adam

Answer
Hi Adam,
Thanx for the follow-up.  I should have mentioned what I meant by stronger hormone.  Generally, Rootone and some other brands of rooting hormone you'll find in general nurseries, are for hobbyist gardeners.  The stronger stuff is for (in my opinion) the professionals and folks who are very serious about horticulture.

Indole-3-Butyric Acid or IBA is commonly used by people who have a lot of experience (more than I...) in rooting difficult to root shrubs and trees.  Here is a link below to one of the manufacturers.


http://sargentwelch.com/product.asp?pn=IG0047263&sid=mercent&mr:trackingCode=0B2

another link

http://www.google.com/#q=hormodin&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa

These are more concentrated and should give you better results but they can be a bit pricey.

I hope this helps.
Tom