The window on cuttings is closing, is was just before or as the spring growth was hardening off. That has pretty much happened by now.

I would cut, dip in a rooting hormone, and stick in a well draining mix (best if it is coarse sand and perlite, but fir bark and perlite will work also). If you can tent them to hold increase humidity or mist that is great. Keep moist and wait. You may also want to mix or add and antifungal to the medium. Before the first freeze, they would need to be potted up and propably protected for the first winter in your zone.

MJH

what do you look for in taking a cutting....Are there better places than others?

Hi,

What you are looking for now are first year branches that have just started hardening off for summer (semi-hardwood). If the branch is still putting out new leaves at internodes don't cut it. Wait till it stops and wait a few weeks then do what MJH said. Try using a good gel or powder rooting hormone. Liquid may wash off before the cutting has a chance to root. Also, pinch off the lower leaf pairs and save only the top two or four leaves. This prevents excessive transpiration.

You can also try hardwood cuttings in the winter provided you keep them in a warm place, but it's more tricky to root I think. Your success rate may be lower.

Layne

Actually, may I ask a follow up?

I've never done to taken a cutting before but my next doors' neighbor's Japanese Maple is laying on our roof.

So we will ask them if we can trim it back, but can I use whats trimmed as a cutting to start my own maple?

Where can I gather more info on HOW to do these cuttings?

THanks.

Hi,

Like it was said before you want to take cuttings from first year growth. Taking and trying to root cutting from older will be difficult to impossible. Keep the cuttings under shade to prevent them from dessicating. Like Michael said you can tent or set up an automatic misting system. I would think misting would be better. I've tried tenting, but in my locale I think it's too hot to keep the cuttings hydrated well. Misting would be better for me. If you live in a cooler region tenting the cuttings under plastic might work well enough.

Any good book on plant propagation will give you the needed information.

Layne