Effect of Cutting Size on Rooting and Subsequent Growth of Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ Cuttings

Abstract

Rooting and subsequent overwinter survival and growth of single-node (5 cm; 2 in), triple-node (15 cm; 6 in), and tip cuttings (15 cm; 6in) of Acer rubrum L. ‘Red Sunset’ were compared. Triple-node cuttings had significantly more roots and total length of roots than single-node and tip cuttings, but no difference in percent rooting or percent survival existed among the cutting types. The triple-node and tip cuttings had significantly greater caliper after the first year of growth than the single-node cuttings, but the difference was minor (1 to 2 mm; 0.04 to 0.08 in). No difference in first year height existed among the cutting types. The single-node cuttings were straighter and had significantly fewer lateral budbreaks than the triple-node and tip cuttings.