Question
QUESTION: Dear Tom,  Hope I,m not wasting your time with this, I have
a 2yr old rowan planted in as a memorial tree in the cemetery. I would like to take a cutting to grow from it for another area,when to take a cutting, how to bring it on ect,thisis my ? any advice is great. Kind regards Brian

ANSWER: Hi Brian,
Thanx for your question.  I love horticulture and farming and no one is wasting my time asking me a question.  That's what I am here for!  I also love sharing information I learn with others.  I have learned so much from folks on the Internet and am grateful for the resource.  I hope you will feel comfortable coming back to AllExperts and asking whatever you feel you need to ask.

With all of that said, I'm going to guess you're from Canada or the UK.  I've read about what we Americans call Mountain Ash.  I've had a desire to try some of these trees.  I live in Kansas and although it gets wretchedly hot here in the summer we have a cold winter and temperate springs and falls.  

Yes Brian, you can take cuttings from your favorite rowan and make new trees.  Now, the best way to do this is to take cuttings from green wood.  Take cuttings in the spring, after the last frost, that are from the green wood, about 15-20 cm long, strip all of the leaves except the last two or three.  Dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone such as Rootone and then stick the cuttings in moist, warm sand and keep the cuttings warm until the cuttings begin to root.  Rooting may begin as soon as 8 weeks.  You can check by gently probing around the cutting.  Chances are, it will take several months to get the large root growth.  

If your cuttings start sprouting new leaves, there is probably a significant root ball and it's time to take the cuttings out of the rooting environment and plant the cuttings in separate pots.  Transfer the potted cuttings outdoors, provided, the environment is warm enough.  Place the potted cuttings in a place where the are shaded from direct sun, protected from extremes in rain, wind, hail, etc., for 10 days.  After that, plant your seedlings wherever you like as long as they get 8 hours of direct sunlight.  

I hope this helps and please do not hesitate to come back and ask whatever you need to ask.  That's what we're here for.

T

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QUESTION: Dear Tom,You were correct Ilive in west central Scotland13 mls east of Glasgow. I hope you succeed in growing a Rowan
tree,there,s a bonny folk song from here maybe you,ve heard it,[Rowan Tree]. can I ask your advice another time re a damaged,may be unsafe tree. Kind regards Brian
ANSWER: Hi Brian,
Thanx for the additional information.  I have been to Scotland back in 1992.  We traveled to the U.K. and Ireland for a two-week vacation that was one of those unforgettable experiences!  One of our friends had visited the U.K. and Ireland many times so he sort of served as our guide.  Scotland is gorgeous!  We stayed in Edinborough.  When I was on Prince Edward Island, in Canada a few years ago, it reminded me somewhat of Scotland.  We had rented a car in London and spent the two weeks driving through England, Wales, the Irish Republic and Scotland.  Some of my ancestors are from Ireland and Scotland. My sister has done some geneology to trace one line of our family to the Gunn clan.  When we were  in Scotland, we bought some cloth of the tartan and found the coat-of-arms.  I always hoped I could some day go back for another visit.  Anyway, I'm rambling.  I do not know the song Rowan Tree, so I will look for it.  

Please DO use this site as much as you want.  I, and many other volunteers will enthusiastically answer your questions or provide you with whatever assistance you need.
Take care.
Tom

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QUESTION: Hello again Tom,  Glad you enjoyed your trip to the uk,my ?
is, my son has a new garden, the kids love it. it has a 30 ft rowan that looks badly damaged,maybe a lightning strike,the bark is off all around the trunk, yet it has the rowan leaflet in the crown.poor looking tree.is it safe?should it come down? Kind regards Brian.

Answer
Hi Brian,
In regard to your Rowan.  The tree is obviously still alive because there is new growth coming out of it, but structurally, it could be dangeous if the inside is dying.  I hope this makes sense.  Anyway, what I would do, if you are concerned about it collapsing is have an arborist or tree cutter look at the tree.  It sounds to me like it probably ought to come down but I can't really say without seeing it myself.  I hope this helps.
Tom