Question
7 years ago I planted a Japanese Ivory Silk Syringa recitulata tree (single trunk) in a public park in memory of my daughter. This past month I found that someone had broken off a young branch from the trunk to make arms for a snowman!!! I took the branch home and placed it into a bottle of water and now the several small leaf buds are turning green. I do not want to lose this cutting if possible but I read the leaf buds should be removed. Is this necessary? the buds are on last years growth (soft %26 green) aprox. 8" long which is V-eed from an older branch (other part of V is gone). Older branch is only about 1/2" in dia. and 11" long. Any advice very much appreciated. I live in Zone 5b and the tree was in dormant phase when I found the branch.

Answer
Hi Val,
Thanx for your question.   Viable cuttings shouldn't be more than 15cm long and no more than preferable no more than 1 cm in diameter.  The bigger they are the more difficult they are to get to root.  I think your 1/2 inch is too large and 11 inches is definitely too long.  Yes, you'll need to remove the leaf buds and dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone you should be able to find at a local nursery.  Get a pot of sand and keep it warm and damp.  Stick the cutting into the sand and seal inside a plastic baggie.  Keep it warm.  It will take at least 8 weeks for rooting...if it's going to happen and I don't know that it will.  It depends upon how long the cutting has been separated from the mother plant.  The chances are good if buds were starting to turn green.  When the cutting starts sending out new growth, you can gently dig around the cutting and see if the root system is substantial enough for transplant to a separate pot.

My condolences on the loss of your daughter.  I hope the information above helps.
Tom