A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Plants and Flowers Forum Plant Propagation Hello, Can Anyone Help?

Hello,
I am new to the forum and to gardening matters for the most part. I would like to know if it is possible to start a new holly tree from another healthy one that has been growing for about 30 years? Is it as easy as clipping some branches and putting them in water to root and then planting them? I know many things can be done this way. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to learning how to make my yard more attractive.
Thanks!

What type of holly are you talking about? the first thing that I came up with was english holly, try this site: http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1674/index.html it says to use softwood cuttings. try googling up Ilex, the botanical name for holly

If you are going to plant holly trees I suggest you get root barriers and put them in and then plant a magnolia tree and use the leaves to form a second root barrier. Hollies produce babies along their roots and they can be a real pain. And if you have dogs or kids plan on de-stickering them often. Needless to say our holly tree got cut down. Even though it required our neighbor to go out and buy holly for christmas. Sorry.

I would probably try spliting the bottom of the cutting up 1 to 2 inches and then treating them with a root stimulator. Put the cuttings in moist fertilizer-free soil out of direct sunlight. Use a tent arrangement to keep it humid and wait patiently for new growth to appear.

But that is just a guess.

Or patiently look around the base of the old holly until you find one of it's offspring and then plan on digging a deep hole so you get all of the root up with the baby and then just take that home and plant it. It will do fine.