I'd love some corkscrew willow cuttings, but we'll be frozen in for a couple more months here in northern MN. I have some perennials at my old place - phlox in purples and some whites, dark blue flag iris, lots more that I can't think of off-hand. If you'd like to try for a later trade, please let me know. We've been moved to the "new" house 2 1/2 years now, it is time to finish moving my 25-year plant collection this summer. Oh, I should have some purple smoke bush cuttings available.

Sorry for the sideways pics. Phone was portrait and they were portrait when I saw on the computer screen then turned sideways when I uploaded them here. I will go back to the Test Forum and try to do better next time. As for size-there are others in our area that were planted near the same time and those trees are huge maybe not 25' but really really tall. The stakes are there trying to train branches to grow on the north side of the tree. It did work. I've tried the "just let it grow" method and this is what I've ended up with so taking DZITMOIDONC's queue I went ahead and pruned the thing. Figured it wasn't doing good thus far so anything would be better. Just as I suspected all the weight of the long whips were keeping the branches from growing up and out. After pruning of course they sprung up and the tree became 2 feet taller and 3' wider! I guess not the right time of year but I couldn't stand it. I'm going to use the thickest cuttings and plant another nearby. Again, wrong time of year but our weather should be beautiful for the next 3 months and hopefully it will work. I thought you were supposed to plant trees in the fall. ?? I truly appreciate all of the advice and comments.

Willow cuttings are about the easiest cuttings to grow.They will grow from the smallest canes to quite large and mature older wood.The older wood might take a little longer.You could place them in a bucket of water until they strike or just grow in position.Regular water is essential for success at least for a while.I'd try cuttings about a foot long or so,about 1/2 to 1 inch diameter,and put 6 inches or more of cutting into the soil.If you are growing them in a damp paddock they will do O.K as they love lots of water.Hope this helps...C.N.

I think you mean invasive :-) And neither is really considered an invasive species although both will have aggressively water seeking root systems. Plant far away from any septic system or underground sewer or water pipes.